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Being caught with cocaine twice in same day costs Louth solar farm fitter £1,500




A solar farm fitter who was caught with cocaine twice on the same day must pay up almost £1,500.

James Fairchild used drugs as a ‘weekend release’ after fearing he may have developed a dangerous tumor, a court was told on Wednesday (April 24).

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine at Tetford on January 26, also admitting possessing the class A drug again later that day in Horncastle.

The defendant was caught in possession of cocaine twice in one day. Photo: iStock
The defendant was caught in possession of cocaine twice in one day. Photo: iStock

He also pleaded guilty to being in breach of a 12-month conditional discharge imposed in February last year for possession of ketamine.

“The two offences occurred at different times,” prosecutor Turan Sunat told Boston magistrates.

“The first offence was at Tetford at 5.15pm when police had reason to search the defendant. They found a bag of cocaine in his wallet.

Boston Magistrates' Court
Boston Magistrates' Court

“The second offence took place at 11.40pm on Louth Road when police found the defendant appearing to be under the influence of drugs.

“In his possession they found three bags of white powder which tests found to be cocaine.”

Defending Fairchild, Carrie Simson told the court her client believed he had in fact bought ketamine - a class B drug - on the second occasion, but added her client ‘accepts’ the outcome of the police testing.

“He is self employed and builds solar farms,” Mrs Simson said.

“At the time of the offence the drug, for him, was what he describes as a weekend escape.

“He found a lump in his throat and expected it to be a tumour. It later turned out to be a swollen gland but he was worried at the time.

“He hasn’t used drugs since and won’t be dealing with drugs again.”

Fairchild, of Low Farm Road, Muckton, near Louth, was fined £500 for each offence of possession.

He was also ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge and £85 costs - an overall total of £1,485.

No further penalty was imposed for the breach of the conditional discharge as it was almost completed when these offences took place.

Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drug.



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