Carer found with skunk cannabis stash worth £2,500 during police raid on his home

A carer found with a £2,500 stash of illegal drugs during a police raid on the home he shared with his disabled mum admitted supplying to friends, a court heard.
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Robert Halliwell, 29, shared the cannabis skunk from a 260g personal collection discovered scattered about the rented property in Kent Gardens, Hetton.

But he was not involved in a professional commercial operation, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

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Instead Halliwell, now of Windsor Terrace, Murton, handed the drug to pals only as and when they called on him to help them get high.

South Tyneside Law Courts.  Picture by FRANK REID. South Tyneside Law Courts.  Picture by FRANK REID.
South Tyneside Law Courts. Picture by FRANK REID.

The court heard police found the skunk cannabis in several rooms of the house including in carrier bags in bedroom drawers and under a bed, in the living room and in the kitchen.

Prosecutor Rehana Haque said: “Officers would say that they took a green substance from his right trouser pocket.

“There was a search of the defendant’s place which showed that he was supplying cannabis.

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“They searched the bedroom and found more drugs in carrier bags, in drawers and under a bed, and in the living room.

“There was a green leafy substance in the kitchen, all of which was evidence that he was supplying drugs.”

The court heard Halliwell, who pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to supply, was convicted of drug possession in 2017, his only previous offence.

Neil Hodgson, defending, said: "He apologises to the court. The drugs had a value of about £2,500.

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"The reality is that he wasn't going to supply the 260g that was his. It was for him and friends, now and again.

“It seems that he has had an issue with drugs since 2017. We are talking about an offence from 20 months ago.

“For some reason the police have got a warrant to go to the house.

“It seems that he got the drugs for friends. The police have believed that it was not for commercial benefit.

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“The Crown Prosecution clearly takes the view that this was small scale.”

The court handed Halliwell a 12-month community order with a requirement of 10 rehabilitation days with the Probation Service.

He was fined £80 and must pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs, and magistrates ordered the confiscation and destruction of the drugs.

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