Man who kept drugs in airing cupboard avoids prison

Friday 12 May 2023

A 32-year-old man who was found with drugs in his airing cupboard has been sentenced to community service and fined – but was allowed to avoid prison to continue "the great strides in his life".

The Magistrate's Court heard that police went to Daniel James Vibert’s home on 24 November and found cannabis in the airing cupboard alongside equipment for growing cannabis.

They also found a syringe containing buprenorphine, a powerful painkiller.

Advocate Sophie Lister, prosecuting, told the court that Vibert had previous convictions for cultivating cannabis.

Vibert admitted the offences of possessing and growing cannabis and possession of buprenorphine.

Advocate Stephen Wauchope, defending, asked for him to be spared prison. He conceded the offences were "silly" but said the drugs had only been for Vibert’s personal use, to help him sleep, and that he was now seeking legal, prescribed medicinal cannabis.

He said that Vibert now had a steady job, which he would lose if he was jailed.

Advocate Wauchope added: "He is desperate for a chance to stay out of prison and continue the great strides he has already made in his life."

Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris imposed 90 hours of community service for the cannabis offences and fined Vibert £500 for the buprenorphine.

He also placed him under a nine-month probation order.