A CASH-strapped Whitehaven cannabis user who began dealing the drug to ease money worries has been sentenced by a judge.
Allan Leigh Harvey, 34, was not initially present when police executed a warrant and raided his Birley Court flat at around 6-35pm on October 18 last year. When Harvey returned home, he told officers: “I’ve only been selling weed. I’m struggling for money.”
Six wraps of cannabis were found inside a small wooden box on a living room shelf. A mobile phone was seized and, when analysed, contained messages which suggested Harvey was involved in supplying the class B drug to a limited number of people for profit.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Harvey, who had struggled with drug use for a number of years, bought £70 worth of cannabis with the aim of supplying it to pay bills and help with daily living costs. He had made full and frank admissions in a police interview and upon his arrest, which occurred a short time after his father’s death following illness.
Harvey admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply, an offence which his lawyer stressed was “not a sophisticated operation”. He had since taken positive steps since his arrest to seek counselling and professional help.
Judge Nicholas Barker imposed an 18-month community order comprising a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a 12-week electronically monitored night-time curfew. He concluded of Harvey’s criminal conduct: “It is a clearly low level dealing form of offending.”
