Pot smoker Ian Casey invited youngsters into his Chelmsford flat to smoke joints and buy cannabis from them, but also prevent them making a mess outside, Chelmsford Crown Court heard on Friday.

Casey, 35, of Purbeck Court, Chelmsford, received 12 months rehabilitation after being sent to the crown court for sentence by local magistrates. He admitted allowing his home to be used for smoking cannabis.

Karen Jones, prosecuting, said a number of youths aged between 14 and 18 congregated and smoked cannabis in the stairwell of Purbeck Court.

Casey lived in one of the flats and invited the youths inside on a number of occasions between November 21 and December 8 last year. He and the youths smoked cannabis.

Police became aware of what was happening and visited Casey. No drugs were found at his home. Casey told police he bought cannabis from the youths but did not provide them with the drug.

Nicola May, mitigating, said Casey used cannabis to relieve pain and in the past had got the drug from a friend.

They had a disagreement and he was unable to get any more.

When he saw the youths with the drug he decided to invite them to his flat to stop them making a mess on the stairs and to get cannabis from them.

He regretted what he had done. Recorder Martyn Royall told Casey he would go to jail if he reoffended.

Published Tuesday February 19, 2002