Man with back injury self-medicated with cannabis and grew plants at his Cork home, court told

The eight cannabis plants had an anticipated street value of €6,400, Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard

It was accepted by the prosecution the accused was not involved in dealing the drug and that he was cultivating it for his own use. Picture: Getty

A back injury prompted a 39-year-old man to self-medicate with cannabis and to start growing the plants at his home in Cork — until he was caught when gardaí visited with a search warrant.

The eight cannabis plants found growing at the home of Zeliko Prstec, at Greenhills Court on South Douglas Road, had an anticipated street value of €6,400, Garda Laura O'Connor told Cork Circuit Criminal Court. 

However, it was accepted by the prosecution the accused was not involved in dealing the drug and that he was cultivating it for his own use. He also had small amounts of other drugs, including LSD.

The accused made full admissions to growing the cannabis at his home.

Elaine Audley, defence barrister, said the defendant had written a letter of apology to the judge. “He grew up in Croatia. He had a particularly traumatic background. He had difficulties with cannabis in his teenage years.

“He was free of drugs for many years. But he suffered an injury to his back, knee and shoulder. He attended his doctor as he should have done. Then quite wrongly, he decided to self-medicate and began using cannabis for pain.

“He fell in with a crowd also using cannabis. He began growing it as well as using it. This experience has been a wake-up call for him,” Ms Audley said.

Judge Helen Boyle said as she imposed sentence: “I have a number of letters from your neighbours speaking highly of you. Gardaí arrived for a different reason. There were four mature plants with lights and four small plants in the back. Smaller amounts of different drugs were also found, including LSD, resin, all for personal use.

“You have no previous convictions. Cannabis is a dangerous drug and it can induce psychosis in a young person using it.

“There is a probation report. You were fully cooperative. Instead of using painkillers, you became involved with cannabis and you become involved with people dealing drugs. You are now drug free, you are working and capable of being a productive member of society.

“You have a motivation to remain substance free. You have fully dealt with and cooperated with the probation service. You are of assistance to your neighbours.” 

In all the circumstances, the judge imposed an 18-month suspended sentence.