ArtRollins
10-09-2005, 10:54 AM
A judge issued a warning about what he believes to be a clear link
between cannabis and crime when jailing a drug user.
Judge Anthony Niblett told an arsonist who had set fire to his former
girlfriend's house while under the influence of the drug: "Those whose
minds are steeped in cannabis are capable of quite extraordinary
criminality."
Sentencing Peter West, 33, a habitual drug user, at Hove Crown Court,
East Sussex, he added: "Your brain has been steeped in cannabis for
most of your adult life."
He described West as a danger to the public after hearing how the
blaze gutted the three-bedroom house in Partridge Green, West Sussex,
and left his girlfriend and her two young children with just the
clothes they stood in. He had set light to her house in a rage fuelled
by cannabis and vodka, the court was told.
West, from Cowfold, West Sussex, was a heavy cannabis smoker and also
used heroin, cocaine and crack. Lisa Williams, his former partner,
told police that West had become increasingly moody and aggressive in
the weeks before the attack. On the night of the arson he suddenly
punched her and said he was going to burn down the house with all of
them inside.
Miss Williams fled with her children. West set the house alight,
leading to their neighbours being evacuated.
West admitted assault and arson. Jailing him for life, the judge said
West must serve a minimum of two-and-a-half-years before being
considered for parole. However, he will remain under licence for life.
The judge criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for not charging
West with the more serious offence of arson being reckless as to
whether life was endangered.
In March this year the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, asked the
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to re-examine the dangers of
cannabis. He acted after researchers in Holland said using it
"moderately increases" the risk of psychotic symptoms among the young.
The latest research follows increasing concerns about the downgrading
of the drug. Health campaigners claim that there is growing evidence
that cannabis is more damaging to mental health than was previously
thought.
between cannabis and crime when jailing a drug user.
Judge Anthony Niblett told an arsonist who had set fire to his former
girlfriend's house while under the influence of the drug: "Those whose
minds are steeped in cannabis are capable of quite extraordinary
criminality."
Sentencing Peter West, 33, a habitual drug user, at Hove Crown Court,
East Sussex, he added: "Your brain has been steeped in cannabis for
most of your adult life."
He described West as a danger to the public after hearing how the
blaze gutted the three-bedroom house in Partridge Green, West Sussex,
and left his girlfriend and her two young children with just the
clothes they stood in. He had set light to her house in a rage fuelled
by cannabis and vodka, the court was told.
West, from Cowfold, West Sussex, was a heavy cannabis smoker and also
used heroin, cocaine and crack. Lisa Williams, his former partner,
told police that West had become increasingly moody and aggressive in
the weeks before the attack. On the night of the arson he suddenly
punched her and said he was going to burn down the house with all of
them inside.
Miss Williams fled with her children. West set the house alight,
leading to their neighbours being evacuated.
West admitted assault and arson. Jailing him for life, the judge said
West must serve a minimum of two-and-a-half-years before being
considered for parole. However, he will remain under licence for life.
The judge criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for not charging
West with the more serious offence of arson being reckless as to
whether life was endangered.
In March this year the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, asked the
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to re-examine the dangers of
cannabis. He acted after researchers in Holland said using it
"moderately increases" the risk of psychotic symptoms among the young.
The latest research follows increasing concerns about the downgrading
of the drug. Health campaigners claim that there is growing evidence
that cannabis is more damaging to mental health than was previously
thought.