Pubdate: Fri, 22 Feb 2008
Source: Watford Observer (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Newsquest Media Group
Contact:  http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4605

CANNABIS USER FREED FROM JAIL

A man who said he used cannabis to relieve his rheumatoid arthritis 
after police found quantities of the drug at his home will be 
released from jail immediately after a decision by top judges today.

Terrance Michael Hickey, 52, of Shanklin Gardens, South Oxhey, 
admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply at St Albans Crown 
Court in November last year.

He was sentenced to 15 months jail - a term his lawyers argued at 
London's Criminal Appeal Court was too long in the light of what his 
partner, Amanda Andrews, received for the same offence.

advertisementShe was sentenced to a prison term of nine months, 
suspended for two years, at the same hearing.

Judge Brian Barker, sitting with Lord Justice Thomas and Mr Justice 
Coulson, said Hickey's drug stash had been uncovered when police 
raided his home in July last year.

They found more than 300 grammes of cannabis resin - with a street 
value of around UKP900 to UKP1,400.

In addition, UKP254 in cash was found on Andrews.

Judge Barker said: "Hickey said he relied on cannabis to be taken on 
a frequent basis, as he suffers from chronic rheumatoid arthritis and 
it would relieve the pain.

"They Hickey and Andrews would buy in bulk, as it was cheaper, and 
they would sell to some of their close friends to fund Hickey's habit."

He said Hickey was also a heavy drinker, and that a medical report 
showed he had suffered from his condition for 20 years.

He added: "It does seem to us that there is a desire to get off 
cannabis and convert to more conventional methods, and he Hickey 
hopes that his lifestyle will genuinely improve.

"For all these reasons the appropriate order will be to order his 
immediate release and replace his sentence with one of nine months, 
suspended for two years."

He said Hickey would also have to fulfil a supervision requirement 
and attend appropriate workshops to help him with his alcohol and drug problems.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart