Truck driver ‘used pot for back pain’

A Cape Burney truck driver who told a court he grew cannabis in his shed for medicinal use has been fined $1200.

Geraldton Magistrate’s Court was told police executed a search warrant on Gregory Allan Hewitt’s property on August 16 and found a “sophisticated” hydroponic set-up in a locked room in his shed.

Police also discovered three large cannabis plants and three smoking pipes, which had traces of cannabis.

The 55-year-old father-of-five pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited drug, cultivation of a prohibited drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hewitt’s lawyer, Kate Fry, described her client as a hard-working family man who was seeking relief from ongoing back pain he had suffered since falling from the back of a truck at the aged of 16.

“The ‘false wall’ in the shed was built by the previous owners as a separate room and was always locked,” she said. “It wasn’t as sinister as it might sound.”

Ms Fry said the police search was a wake-up call for Hewitt.

She said he realised his cannabis use was “out of control”.

“He tells me it is not going to happen again and he will look at alternative pain management,” she said.

Magistrate Donna Webb accepted Hewitt was a hard-working family man, but noted the offences were serious.

“I find it extremely surprising when drugs are discovered in the sheds and homes of middle-aged people otherwise regarded as pillars of the community,” she said.

Taking into account his early guilty pleas and that it was his first drug offence, she imposed a global fine of $1200 for all three charges.

Hewitt must also pay $226.50 for the cost of the search warrant and $98.50 in court costs.

Ms Webb also ordered the drugs and drug equipment destroyed.