In a shocking turn of events, a man from Newport, Gavin Smart, aged 53, was found with an unusual stash of cannabis plants in his house. His reasoning behind growing these plants was even more surprising – he claimed that he was cultivating them to use as “currency” in case “society collapses”. The discovery was made on November 29 last year, when the police raided Smart’s home and found 33 cannabis plants in five growing tents, with an estimated yield of 1.3kg to 1.7kg. This revelation came to light during a sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday.
According to reports, when questioned by the police, Smart revealed his intentions behind growing the cannabis plants. He stated that he believed that society would soon collapse, and he planned to use the cannabis as a form of currency for selling it for medical purposes. Additionally, Smart mentioned having a profound “distrust of the NHS”, although he denied referring to himself as a “Doomsday prepper”. These startling details emerged during the court proceedings, shedding light on the man’s unconventional motivations for growing the illegal plants.
The legal saga took a more dangerous turn when Smart was involved in a drunk driving incident. On January 1, police were summoned to a collision on Malpas Road, Newport, where a van had rammed into another car before crashing into a tree. The driver, identified as Gavin Smart, was intoxicated at the time of the incident. He attempted to deceive the officers by providing a false name, further complicating the situation. Smart later admitted guilt to charges including cannabis production, dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving under the influence, driving without a licence, and obstructing a police officer.
During the sentencing proceedings, Judge Celia Hughes highlighted the severity of Smart’s actions, stating that he was well aware of the illegality of his actions, given his history of involvement in drug dealing. The court also learned about Smart’s tumultuous personal life, including the recent passing of his parents and business partner, in addition to his role as a caregiver for his 19-year-old daughter with autism. Despite these mitigating factors, Smart received a 24-month prison sentence and a five-year driving ban as part of his punishment.
In a bid to provide context to Smart’s behaviour, his barrister Sol Hartley mentioned that alcohol-related issues had led his client to engage in risky behaviours, suggesting that he may have been in a state of impaired consciousness during certain incidents. Hartley also highlighted Smart’s academic achievements, noting that he holds a degree in mathematics. The combination of personal struggles and lapses in judgment led to Smart’s involvement in illegal activities, culminating in the series of charges brought against him.
The case of Gavin Smart serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the consequences of engaging in illegal activities and reckless behaviour. The revelation of his unconventional motives for growing cannabis plants as a form of future currency paints a vivid picture of an individual grappling with profound distrust in societal structures. As he embarks on his prison term and driving ban, Smart’s story stands as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the unforeseen paths that individuals may traverse in their quest to navigate life’s challenges.