Bridlington cannabis farmer is jailed

Grant Dowson, 25, was caught growing 27 cannabis plants in Hilderthorpe Road, Bridlington. Despite receiving two chances to avoid prison he was caught committing six further offences including leading police on a high-speed chase around Bridlington.

Dowson of Seathorne Walk, Bridlington, appeared for re-sentence at Hull Crown Court (August 8) after breaching a suspended sentence imposed at Hull Crown Court in November 2015 for possession of an offensive weapon and driving without insurance.

Police stopped him finding a knuckle duster in his car which he said he was going to sell for £20. He gave a false name and said he was covered by a trader’s policy.The court heard at the time of the knuckle duster offence he was in breach of a suspended sentence for the cannabis farm.

Then on January 1, 2016 he was arrested after leaving a shop in a car off St John’s Street, Bridlington.

He was signalled to stop and failed to do so and sped off. When police found him the next day he was charged with possession of a cannabis grinder, driving while disqualified, having no insurance and failing to stop.

His sentence was deferred for him to stay out of trouble and complete community punishment - but on two occasions he failed to attend for punishment – giving the probation service an address in Eggborough, Selby, he had never lived at. He completed just 185 hours of 300-hours community order.

Defence barrister Richard Thompson said: “He had difficulties with his address which was why he was in breach. He is now employed as a ground worker in Grimsby earning £600 a week and lives with his mother in Driffield.”

Sentencing Judge Mark Bury told Dowson: “The time has come for you to be taught that when a court gives you an order you must comply with it. The only person you have to blame is yourself.”

He jailed him for 12 months and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.