A CANNABIS user who dealt the drug from his Penrith home has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today (MON) how police searched Malcolm Lamb’s rented Milton Street address, on July 29, in connection with an unrelated matter.
Inside they found seven snap-bags of cannabis in a plastic coffee cup, a debtors’ list, £860 cash in two different locations and electronic weighing scales.
Lamb, 59, later admitted to police he had been dealing the class B drug, mainly from his home as part of what the prosecution called “his own small operation”.
However, Lamb disputed that all of the money found was made from dealing, and said a separate stash of cannabis also found inside the address didn’t belong to him.
The court heard of Lamb’s health difficulties and long-term cannabis use. He had historical convictions for cannabis and amphetamine supply crimes, but had been out of trouble for a long spell.
Lamb – who admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply – was also awaiting surgery to address a hernia problem and was likely to lose his home if jailed.
After hearing mitigation, Recorder John Corless suspended a 12-month jail term for two years but stated: “Supplying drugs, even cannabis, is a serious matter.”
Lamb must also complete a four-month night-time curfew and rehabilitation.
Recorder Corless ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis and paraphernalia, and seizure of the cash.
