When he complained the drug dealers threw him down the stairs
An alcoholic was "peeled off the pavement" by drug dealers who then paid him in bottles of vodka to allow them to grow cannabis in his Coventry home.
But the crop was found by chance when the police turned up at Stephen Davies’ home to speak to him about an allegation made by his ex-wife.
Davies, 46, of Blackshaw Drive, Walsgrave, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to permitting his premises to be used for the production of cannabis.
He had also admitted harassing his former wife while on bail for the cannabis offence – and was sentenced to a total of nine months in prison suspended for 12 months.
Judge Sylvia de Bertodano, having been told Davies had not been allowed into the court building for an earlier hearing after turning up drunk, also ordered him to take part in an alcohol treatment programme.
Prosecutor Philip Brunt said that in January last year the police went to speak to Davies over an allegation of sending a malicious communication to his ex-wife.
That matter was not pursued – but while they were there the officers became aware of 30 cannabis plants, each about 30 inches tall, growing in one of the rooms.
Judge de Bertodano told Davies: “I am sentencing you on the basis that you were allowing others to use the premises to grow the plants, and your benefit was being given alcohol.
“You don’t need me to tell you that you need to knock the alcohol on the head. Your last three convictions were for driving with excess alcohol. If you go on doing that, you’re going to end up killing someone.”
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2018 3:40 pm