Dope fiend dad jailed after growing Mt Martha drug den to dodge paying dealer
A Mt Martha dad who housed close to 150 cannabis plants at his property as well as a fridge full of oils and butter to make hash cakes and cookies has been jailed. And the 37-year addict offered an unusual reason for the crime.
South East
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A druggie dad who grew cannabis in his Mt Martha backyard so he didn’t have to pay a dealer has been jailed.
Leighton Backx, 49, was jailed for two years in the County Court after pleading guilty to cultivating a narcotic plant in a quantity not less than a commercial quantity.
The court heard Backx was sleeping when police came knocking on his Bentons Rd door about 5.45am on October 31.
The 37-year addict was woken by his housemate before agreeing to show officers his 149-plant stash.
Outside was two small tents full of the plants as well as a greenhouse.
Backx also showed officers his fridge full of infused oil and butter which he used to make cakes and biscuits.
More drugs and paraphernalia were found in two bedrooms.
The father told officers he kept the drugs for himself and his family so they didn’t have to pay a dealer.
He began abusing the drug at just 11 after he was physically assaulted.
The court was told Backx worked for himself as a window cleaner for 19 years and as a carpet cleaner for another business for five years but was let go after refusing to take a drug test.
Backx’s drug use exploded to about 55g per week as he used it to battle anxiety, depression and shoulder pain as the result of a vicious assault where he was struck with a metal bar.
The total amount of drugs seized, including dry matter and seeds, only weighed about 6.5kg but Judge Trevor Wraight said it was the number of plants that elevated Backx’s charge to a commercial quantity.
“Even if it was distributed to only family and associates, it is a drug that can have serious detrimental effects to those who are addicted to it,” he said in sentencing on September 30.
Backx was convicted and sentenced to two years behind bars with a non-parole period of one year.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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