Day trip disaster for druggie

Russell James Silver, 25, of Channel View Road, this week pleaded guilty to producing 10 cannabis plants in his bedroom, and possessing 53g of cannabis, before magistrates in Hastings.

The court heard that unemployed Silver was a back seat passenger in a car pulled over by police on Seddlescombe Road North on April 10, and two bags of the drug were found in the glove compartment.

Police went to search his home address, where Silver lives with his mum and brother, and found a tent and hydroponics equipment for growing cannabis, as well as the drugs.

Mark Kately, prosecuting said: "There were a number of individuals in the vehicle. They'd come to Hastings to buy weed because it is cheaper to buy in bulk."

Daniel Benjamin, mitigating, told the court that Silver knew he had a drug problem, and has since quit.

He said: "The reason he was growing it was so that he didn't have to buy it, because the people who were dealing it were pushing harder drugs."

Magistrates ordered Silver to carry out a 12 month community order, incorporating 125 hours of unpaid work, ordered the destruction of the drugs and paraphernalia, and ordered Silver to pay 60 costs.