A Douglas man has been sentenced to 240 hours of community service for cannabis possession.

Lewis John Cowie, of Marathon Drive, was cleared of possessing the drug with intent to supply after a trial.

The 28-year-old father of two had denied that charge and was acquitted by a jury after a trial at the Court of General Gaol Delivery from May 20 to 24.

Cowie admitted having 477.81 grams of the drug on March 17, 2018, but said that he intended to extract rosin to treat chronic inflammation of his joints.

The community service is a direct alternative to 14 weeks’ custody.

Deemster Alastair Montgomerie said that despite Cowie not having a diagnosed medical condition, he had taken into account his immediate guilty plea to the possession charge, his remorse and his human right to a family life as Cowie was said to be the primary carer for his two sons.

Cowie was said to have been a cannabis user for about 13 years and had described himself as a ’heavy user’.

The court heard that Cowie has previous convictions for cannabis possession but his last offence was four years ago.

Remorse

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said that his client had been engaging with Motiv8 and had found it ’extremely helpful’.

A probation report assessed Cowie as a low risk of harm to the public and a medium risk of reoffending.

’He is remorseful for putting his family through the stress of the court proceedings,’ said Mr Wood.

’His partner is in court supporting him. He is a young man who is making changes in his life.

’He perhaps has a rocky start to his early adult life but in my submission his offending has slowed down considerably. He is maturing.’

The advocate went on to say that Cowie was now using CBD oil for his condition.

He continued: ’At the time of the probation report there was still some use of cannabis but that has stopped.’

Mr Wood said that community service work would be a ’stick and carrot’ approach and that allow his client to continue his work with Motiv8. Deemster Montgomerie told Cowie: ’It’s fair to say you’re somebody who I can describe as being on the cusp of custody.

’Adding in the Article Eight rights [of the Human Rights Act] I consider these on balance just tip this in favour of me going down the route proposed.

’But I make it clear if you do revert back to cannabis use, irrespective if it’s for your medical condition, then undoubtedly you will go to prison. I’ve given you the maximum hours because you were on the cusp.’