Couple found guilty of growing cannabis

A CANADIAN couple was yesterday sentenced to two and half years in prison for growing cannabis plants.

The wife, however, received a three-year suspension of her sentence, because their son is just 15 years old.

The teenager had also been charged in the case, but was later cleared of all charges.

The sentence was perceived as a second chance of the family, who were facing five charges connected to drugs.

Last March, Drug Squad members had found 60 cannabis plants and 130 grams of cannabis, as well as rolled cigarettes laced with cannabis, in the couple’s home in Kato Polemidia.

The couple and their son were arrested, charged and sent to trial.

The court hearing began last October. But on December 9 before it had reached a conclusion, the Attorney-general decided to exercise his discretion and postponed the criminal prosecution of the underage boy.

James Peterman, 44, and his 37-year-old wife were sentenced to two and a half years in prison, which the court said had “exhausted all levels of leniency”.

The couple’s personal circumstances were also taken into consideration. The man said he was a drug user since 1985 while he also suffers from a chronic health condition. The woman had a difficult and abusive childhood and has admitted to smoking cannabis on occasion.

The court decided to suspend the mother’s sentence for three years, because their son was at a difficult age and could suffer serious problems if he was left without his mother.

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