“I’ve definitely got a problem”

Monday 05 November 2018

A twenty-three year old man has managed to get help for his cannabis problem after appearing in Court.

Gage James Saville admitted to possessing a small lump of cannabis resin and obstructing a Police Officer outside Rojo’s nightclub, when he tried to run away from Police.

During his hearing at the Magistrate’s Court, Saville told Magistrate Bridget Shaw that he has a “problem” with cannabis which he needs to address. 

At this point, the Magistrate adjourned proceedings to ensure that the young man could speak to a Probation Officer and be pointed in the direction of the Alcohol and Drugs Service, telling Saville: “You’ve got to get on top of this." 

After a conversation with Probation, Saville made an appointment with the service so that he could start to kick his habit. The Probation officer told the Court that the fact Saville “recognises that this is a problem” is “a big step”. He noted that the young man did not have to offer this information to the Court, but it was “something he did off his own bat”.

Pictured: A young man has found help through the Court system to tackle his cannabis problem.

The Court heard that Saville has “smoked since he was 12 years old”, but now is starting a process to quit the drug. 

Magistrate Shaw addressed the young man: “In a way something good might come of your Court appearance today… If you carry on like this it’s going to get you in trouble again and again. You’re getting some stability in your life, but the cannabis risks derailing all that.

“Don’t let this opportunity slip… it will be good for your brain, it will be good for your finances, it will be good for keeping you out of trouble.”

Magistrate Shaw then handed Saville a reduced financial penalty of £150 for the possession charge.