Aberdeen man ‘brainwashed’ into growing cannabis
Grampian Police find 26 cannabis plants in man’s flat
Published:
A MAN caught with dozens of cannabis plants in Aberdeen claimed he was “brainwashed” by a cult to grow the drugs.
Grampian Police found 26 plants when they broke down Iain Fox’s flat door in Aberdeen in November 2007.
Grampian Police officers were carrying out door-to-door inquiries in Charlotte Street when they became aware of a strong smell of cannabis coming from Fox’s Aberdeen flat.
Grampian Police officers later returned with a search warrant for 34 Charlotte Street, Aberdeen, and discovered Fox was growing illegal drugs.
Fox, 30, pleaded guilty to being in possession of cannabis at his Aberdeen home on November 6.
But Fox claimed he had been told to grow the cannabis plants after joining a “cult”.
Defence solicitor Sheena Mair said that her client accepted responsibility for the haul but explained that he had been “brainwashed” into doing it.
Ms Mair said Fox had been “befriended by a doctor of philosophy” who had then “brainwashed him”.
She said Fox had then “joined a cult” who instructed him to grow the illegal drug in his Aberdeen flat.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard Grampian Ppolice found nine plants growing in the accused’s bedroom at his Aberdeen flat and a further 17 smaller plants growing in the bathroom, along with growing equipment and lights. The plants were valued at £10 each.
When Fox returned to his Aberdeen home he admitted his part in the operation and was arrested.
Sentencing him at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Malcolm Garden said that Fox’s explanation was “slightly unusual” and fined him £450.
Ms Mair said that Fox was now under the care of his parents in Saltcoats, Ayrshire.
