Cannabis smell led to police stop and drugs charges for Emneth man

An Emneth man has appeared in court after almost £8,000 and a drugs price list were found at his home.

It followed police stopping a car in Terrington St Clement and finding drugs and a knife in it.

The two occupants – Samuel Welbourn, 30 and 27-year-old Thomas Russell – appeared at King's Lynn magistrates yesterday (Thursday).

Prosecutor Bethany Richards said the stop on August 19, 2020, was due to the smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle, which Russell was driving. Welbourn admitted there were drugs in the car for his personal use.

Miss Richards said cannabis and a phone were seized.

Welbourn, of Outwell Road, Emneth, pleaded guilty to possession of two squares of LSD and 1.6 grams of another class A drug, namely Psilocin3/Psilocybin4 ('magic mushrooms').

He was also charged with possession of the class B drug cannabis with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of it between June 30 and August 20 last year.

Welbourn pleaded guilty on the basis that it was only to his friends and to cover his own use.

This was not accepted by the prosecution who said police had found £7,865 under his bed and an Apple Note with a drugs price list. Welbourn claimed the money was from the sale of car parts.

Magistrates accepted the basis of plea, saying it would not make a material difference to the sentence.

Russell, of Snarehill near Thetford, pleaded guilty to possession of five squares of LSD. He denied possessing with intent to supply both cannabis and 50 capsules of the class C drug Alprazolam but indicated he would plead guilty to simple possession charges.

He also pleaded not guilty to possessing a lock knife with an eight inch blade in a public place. The prosecution claims it was in a centre console, the defence say it was with camping and fishing equipment in the rear and will forward a reasonable excuse defence.

The case was adjourned to October 19 and the two defendants were granted unconditional bail.