Sheffield drug-user was growing cannabis plants to 'ease anger issues'

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on November 28 how Daniel Clifford Kirkland, 31, of Owen Walk, Sheffield, was found to have seven cannabis plants, “skunk” and harvested flowers from the drug drying out at his property.

Kirsty Pearson, prosecuting, said: “Officers executed a drugs warrant at the address of the defendant and located a cannabis grow with seven plants at various stages of growth and a hanging basket with a quantity of cannabs skunk and drying-out flowers already harvested.”

Kirkland admitted to police he had been cultivating cannabis for his personal use after learning from the internet how to grow the class B drug.

Mrs Pearson said police estimated the value of the cannabis as between £3,780 and £6,040 with a further £80 for two small cannabis plants and between £360 to £550 for a single large cannabis plant.

She added: “There were seven plants of a various stage of growth and a harvested quantity of skunk.”

Mrs Pearson said despite the significant value of the drugs there was no assertion the drugs were being grown to supply but they were for personal use.

Builder Kirkland, who has a previous conviction for producing cannabis, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and to producing cannabis after the police raid in November, last year.

Defence solicitor Arshaid Bashir said: “He has shown remorse from the outset and made full admissions he was cultivating canabis for his own personal use and there was no commercial gain element here at all.

“He was growing cannabis to assist with his anger issues. In fact, five years ago he attended a course to address these issues.”

Mr Bashir explained Kirkland had suffered child custody issues which had been a trigger for his offending but since then he has not grown any cannabis because he cares for his children.

Magistrates sentenced Kirkland to a 12 month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 costs.