Cops Catch Cannabis-Buyer

An Oxford man, caught by police buying £1,800 worth of cannabis, which he claimed was only meant for friends at an upcoming party, has avoided prison with a suspended sentence.

Trinidad-born father-of-three Jumoke Brewster, 35, of Bayswater Road was spotted collecting a Tesco carrier bag in suburban south London, which contained 879 gms of cannabis and further smaller amounts were found during a search of his home.

Fishmonger Brewster, who has been travelling back and forth to the UK on various work and student visas for the last fifteen years, pleaded guilty to possessing the larger quantity, with intent to supply, in Ambleside Avenue, Streatham on January 30.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing six smaller amounts in individual £10 bags a his home address the next day, where police also found two cannabis grinders.

Croydon Crown Court (pictured) heard officers spotted the suspicious transaction in Anerley and stopped Brewster's vehicle a few miles away.

He claimed he was a heavy-user, who bought in bulk with the assistance of friends and would split the cannabis with them.

Judge Shani Barnes told the first-time offender: “Sadly for you I am always suspicious of those supplying drugs.

“They always tell me they are only doing this for friends and not for profit, but I am always cynical.

“This was an extremely large amount of drugs to use at a party, nearly a kilo.

“I am not stupid. You were going to sell it and make money out of it.

“It very much deserves a custodial sentence, but given your good character I will suspend it.”

Brewster was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and was ordered to complete 100 hours community service. He must also pay £100 costs.