Pubdate: Thu, 07 Sep 2000
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  +61 8 94823830
Website: http://thewest.com.au/redirect.shtml
Author: Bronwyn Peace

DRUG CROP BLAMED ON BROKER

Failed finance broker Graeme Grubb has been blamed for a $600,000 cannabis crop.

A victim of the finance brokers collapse claimed in the District Court that he grew the drug to recoup losses incurred after dealings with Grubb.

Defence lawyer Mark Andrews said Raymond Stephen Sheehan, 51, of Canning Vale, became depressed after he lost his life savings through investments handled by Grubb and had to find a way to pay off his mortgage and support his family.

Sheehan was jailed for three years this week after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to sell or supply and cultivating cannabis with intent.

Mr Andrews said Sheehan learnt to cultivate the cannabis on the Internet and grew the crop because he lost his retirement savings shortly after selling his panel beating business of 15 years.

"Unfortunately he invested a considerable amount of money with failed finance broker Graeme Grubb," he said. "That amount constituted his and his wife's life savings - hard-earned savings - and was to be their retirement funds.

"It was directly as a result of his financial desperation that he foolishly decided to remedy these financial woes with the quick-fix idea of growing cannabis."
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