Two arrested for conspiring to aid and abet the production of cannabis.

Two men were jailed today for supplying equipment to help people grow cannabis.

Judge David Price said the pairs Derby firm was clearly intended 'to enable customers to produce the drug'.

He imposed a three-year jail term on Paul Fenwick, 45, of Leicestershire, part owner of Hydroponics Wholesale, on Derby Trading Estate, Stores Road.

And a 21-month sentence was imposed on his business partner, David Kenning, 36, of Wymeswold, near Loughborough.

The judge said the business was set up in 2003 by Fenwick, who called in Kenning because of his expertise in the import of goods.

Sitting at Nottingham Crown Court, the judge granted a warrant for the arrest of their employee in the business, Paul Blackshaw, 32, of Barley Close, Little Eaton. He failed to answer his bail.

In November the three were found guilty after a trial at Derby Crown Court of conspiring to aid and abet the production of cannabis.

David Matthew, for Kenning, has lodged an appeal and told the judge that his client thought the business was legal.

SOURCED FROM HIGH TIMES
http://www.hightimes.com/ht/news/content.php?bid=1545&aid=24


My opinion is that this is crazy. They didn't grow or handle the illegal drug and were arrested just for giving someone equipment that could as easily be used for all kinds of legal growing. Its not like they handed out seeds or any other thing that would indicate they knew what was going on. Though i am not ignorant they probably did know, but our legal system is standardized on the idea your innocent until proven guilty, and i don't see what you could possibly prove someone guilty of just because they gave out some equipment.