String of Barking and Dagenham cannabis cases go before judge

A judge heard a string of cannabis smoking cases in court.

Omar Ahmed, 22, of Crows Road, Barking, Paul Nwachukwu, 29, of William Ash Close, Dagenham, and Matthew Haydon, 37, of Holgate Road, Dagenham, appeared separately at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 25.

Each pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis for personal use.

Both Ahmed and Nwachukwu were given 12 month conditional discharges and ordered to pay court costs totalling £100.

Haydon will appear in court again on August 15 while probation officers prepare a report on his drug addiction. He said in court that he was eager to receive help to kick his illegal habit.

“I’m just ashamed of myself. All this trouble I’m in is because of drugs. I’m sick of it, I have tried stopping but I just can’t,” he said.