A Tyneside man has admitted producing cannabis after police discovered 57 plants at his home, but prosecutors have disputed his claim that the crop was for his own personal use.
Benjamin Rudd, 39, was arrested in October last year when officers attended his then address on Northumberland Road in Lemington and found the class B drug being cultivated inside the premises. The plants were seized at the scene.
Guilty Plea and Disputed Basis
Rudd, now of Beacon Rise in Gateshead, appeared in the dock this week at Newcastle Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to producing a class B drug on the basis that it was for his own personal use.
However, Jade Houston, prosecuting, said the basis of plea was not accepted. She told the court: "There is a basis of plea that the defendant produced the drug for his own personal use. However, the Crown would say, because of the amount involved, we dispute that. We don't accept the basis of plea."
Newton Hearing Ordered
District Judge Paul Currer said the case would need to be listed for a Newton Hearing to determine why Rudd was growing the cannabis. He said: "You have pleaded guilty to this on a particular basis and you say the cannabis was only produced for your own personal use. The Crown don't accept that, so, the court will have to determine on what basis they will sentence you. Whether that's for onward sale or your own personal use, the court will decide. It will make a material difference to sentence, that's why I'm ordering a Newton Hearing."
Rudd is due to appear for that hearing at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on February 2. He was released on unconditional bail in the meantime.
