hxxp://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.1545380.0.cannabis_dealer_gets_suspend ed_sentence.php
A man who was once told by a judge his Oxford cannabis factory was as antisocial as growing tomato plants has been given a suspended sentence for dealing drugs.
Phillip Pledge, 39, was found guilty of possession of cannabis with intent to supply in a trial last month but also admitted possession and cultivation of class C drugs and possession of class B drugs.
Pledge, of Strawberry Path, Blackbird Leys, was given a 51-week suspended sentence at Oxford Crown Court.
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Last year, Judge Charles Harris provoked anger after he said the discovery of 12 cannabis plants growing in Pledge's flat in Evenlode Tower and wraps of the drug did not cause harassment, alarm or distress to neighbours, and refused an application for an antisocial behaviour order.
As a result the application was dropped and police pressed criminal charges instead.
The trial heard Pledge grew the cannabis as a cloning experiment and was smoking the drug to cope with depression after his house was burned down in an arson attack which killed his two dogs.
The jury found him guilty of intent to supply cannabis to a circle of friends.
Passing sentence, Recorder Malcolm Gibney said: "You have been dealt with leniently allowing for your rather dramatic circumstances back in 2005 and you appear you have made significant efforts since then and since the trial to remain off drugs."
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