A DRUG-USER living in supported accommodation became “angry” when staff found him with cannabis and warned him he would be evicted.

Josh Nicholson, 26, had been living in the property on Peter Street in Whitehaven, when the offence took place on January 27, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said at around 10.15am, a support worker knocked on Nicholson’s door. He answered and was described as being “shifty” and clearly didn’t want her in the room.

Nicholson had then taken an item from the bathroom and the support worker had asked what it was.

The defendant replied, “You know what it is. You know I smoke pot.”

Nicholson was told that he would be evicted and he then punched the wall and a door.

The court heard that the support worker felt “intimidated” by Nicholson’s behaviour and went downstairs and then into the office.

Nicholson followed and asked if he was going to be “kicked out”. Staff had then locked themselves in the office.

They opened the door to try and calm him down but he put his foot in the door and said, “I want my stuff back”.

Police were contacted and the defendant started banging on the door. Officers attended and a plastic bag that had been recovered from Nicholson was found to be full of cannabis.

He also had heroin in his pocket. 

The support worker told police that Nicholson’s behaviour was “very intimidating”.

Nicholson confirmed the cannabis and heroin were for his own personal use. He said he became angry when staff said he would be evicted from the property.

The defendant, of Mona Road, Salterbeck, Workingon, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, possessing a Class A drug and possessing a Class B drug.

David Martin, defending, said: “He is genuinely sorry about this.

“He has spoken to both ladies and apologised for his behaviour. He made full and frank admissions in police interview.

“He accepts he does and has used cannabis in the past. He really does not like to use heroin at all. The reason he had it on that occasion, he had a problem with his methadone prescription.

“To his credit, he had it but hadn’t used it at all.

“He knew he was going to be kicked out the accommodation. He is now back on his methadone prescription.

“He knows he has a poor record. He doesn’t want to go back to prison.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Nicholson was fined £140 and must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.