In The Dock

PRISON FOR ONE JOINT

14 May 2009

A 29-year-old from the Borough narrowly escaped prison for having one joint of cannabis, as his guilty plea could have activated a five-month prison sentence he has hanging over his head.

Samir Bakhait, of Great Suffolk Street, was caught with the single cannabis joint on March 13 outside Costcutters in Great Dover Street just after 10pm.

Bakhait, who has 27 previous convictions dating back to 1997, including burglary, theft, attempted burglary, obstructing police and five burglaries in 2003, had his 43-week sentence for burglary suspended for eighteen months back in November last year.

As District Judge Somjee considered activating the suspended sentence and sending the labourer back to prison, Bakhait's defence said: "Your honour, that would be like using a hammer to crack an egg.

This was one joint and, though committed during a time with the suspended sentence, was completely unrelated to his previous offence."DJ Somjee agreed and fined Bakhait £125 at £10 a week, but said he was forced to inform the Crown Court of the offence and the outcome - and couldn't rule out that they wouldn't jail him.

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