Cannabis smoker caught by police noses

A CANNABIS smoker was caught out by police officers with a nose for crime.

Brazen Peter Scotter was puffing on the class B drug when he walked past two officers in Sunderland city centre, at 4pm on March 13.

They noticed that the 51-year-old, from Hendon Close, smelt strongly of cannabis and threw the cigarette he was smoking to the floor, Sunderland Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecutor John McGlone said one of the officers found it contained cannabis.

He said Scotter produced more cannabis in a bag and added: “That was seized from him.”

Anna Metcalfe, defending, said Scotter accepted he was in possession of cannabis.

She said: “He pleads guilty at the first available opportunity, and you have heard he assisted with the police search and offered to them the cannabis he had in his possession.

“He is in breach of a suspended sentence order in relation to criminal damage that was racially aggravated.

“He feels very foolish for jeopardising his liberty over a small piece of cannabis. He does not use cannabis regularly, but does use it socially.”

Magistrates did not activate Scotter’s suspended sentence, but instead imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and order he pay £85 towards court costs.
Sunderland Echo