Businessman Claims He Didn't Know His Amphetamine Stash Was Illegal

A businessman, who cliams he did not know the class B drug 'speed' was illegal, has been fined after police found a small amount of it in his Fulham home.

Anthony Michael Fox, 38, of North End Road, who earns £7,500 a month, also had a quantity hidden in his sock, which was discovered when officers strip-searched him.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to possessing a quantity of amphetamine on July 27 and was fined £1,000, with £85 costs and was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

“I could had washed that down the toilet, I paid five hundred pounds for that,” Fox told the court, and complaining about the amout of the fine he added: “I'm paying for school fees, my outgoings are higher than my income.”

The court was told police visited Fox's address on an undisclosed matter that was not proceeded with and discovered white powder on a bedroom table, plus more amphetamine when the defendant was searched in custody.

He also gave a positive test for cocaineat the police station.

His lawyer, who refused to give his name, said: “He uses this drug because he suffers from hair loss and did not realise the drugs were illegal.”

However, the magistrate dismissed this claim, telling Fox: “I don't believe what you said about why you had the drugs. I believe you knew they were illegal.”