Judge tells cannabis dad: 'You are a fool'
A FATHER of five found in possession of cannabis while under a suspended prison sentence was called a "fool" by a judge at Taunton Crown Court.
Police armed with a search warrant found 9.39 grams of the drug in Sean Mallaghan's shed at his home in Bridgwater.
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He said it was for his personal use and that he had been given it for his birthday the previous week, said Derek Perry, prosecuting.
Only three months earlier, in August last year, he had been given a 26-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months for similar drug offences.
Sentencing him to a community order for 12 months with 40 hours work, Judge Michael Roach told Mallaghan: "You are a fool.
"You have five children to look after and eventually someone is going to put you inside straightaway.
"You can't afford to involve yourself with cannabis now.
"If you breach the order, the suspended sentence is bound to be activated.
"All the mitigation in the world won't save you."
4 Comments
by Sherlock's bones, Under the Water Tower
Friday, February 19 2010, 10:09PM
“Oh a Moron from Sheffield! . . Ah well; at least it will be another addled brain to look at under the microscope.”
by John Christopher, Sheffield
Friday, February 05 2010, 12:38PM
“This is completely ludicrous.
Has this judge lost his marbles?
It is nothing other than abuse of power, threatening to ruin a man's life, and his children's- for smoking a substance which in terms of relative harm; is somewhere in between coffee, and tobacco.
These draconian laws are just one thing which is taking the Great out of Great Britain; along with corrupt politicians, a much higher rate of tax than other European countries, and a rapidly growing divide between rich and poor, and in this case reality and stupidity.
I've never desired to leave this country as much in my life. Other countries in Europe are much fairer, and don't strangle all of our civil liberties.
Basically me and 3,000,000, others in the UK smoke cannabis on a regular basis, and we will do for the rest of our lives whether we are in prison, in our home, or whether it is taxed, and legal.
A message to all law enforcement, judges etc. who may read this. We who smoke cannabis will never give it up, it is a fight you cannot win. we will all die soon, but unfortunately for you cannabis will exist as long as earth does.”
by Winston Matthews, Horley Surrey
Friday, February 05 2010, 11:47AM
“No victim, no crime, so how is he hurting anyone?
The Judge is being foolish acting as draconian over arguably the safest recreational
substance!
This isn't right, if I can take the drug alcohol or nicotine, then I should be allowed consumer rights that I have on these products, cannabis use is on trial here, yet the Misuse of drugs act, is based on misuse and not use, if this man used cannabis, where is the abuse?
This judge wouldn't have the right to tell him about his consumtion of the drug alcohol or nicotine, or even caffeine, all very dangerous drugs.
Balance is needed , and then justice may seem to be done!”
by sunshine band, London
Friday, February 05 2010, 10:07AM
“So apart from getting shafted for a few grams of harmless herb he gets a slagging off to boot. What a madhouse that court is. Whilst mitigation might not save him again from tyrants like this, he should argue against the whole thing as an abuse of process rooted in an abuse of power by HM Govt in the administration of the law.”