A French chef who had been slicing up blocks of cannabis resin for his friends was given a six month suspended sentence when he appeared at Galway District Court last week.
Florent Guibout (26 ) with an address at 49 Whitestrand Park, Salthill, appeared before Judge Mary Fahy and pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin and possession with intent to sell or supply on May 27, 2008
Garda Cathal Rodgers told the court that a search was carried out at 49 Whitestrand Park and a large amount of cannabis and cash was found in one of the bedrooms. The defendant, who had been renting this room, had not been present at the house but when contacted by phone gardai made arrangements to meet with him. Guibout was then arrested and questioned at Galway Garda station.
Garda Rodgers added that the value of the cannabis amounted to €800 and that €1,350 in cash had been found in his room. The court also heard that the defendant had one previous conviction where he received the Probation Act for theft.
Defence solicitor Sean Acton put it to Garda Rodgers that the cannabis resin was not for the purpose of “a commercial venture”. He said that Guibout would have bought a block of the cannabis resin and given this to his friends who then paid him back for it. He stressed that the defendant would have had a limited supply for his friends. Garda Rodgers agreed that the defendant would not be involved in actual drug dealing and had made a full statement to gardai.
Mr Acton went on to explain that his client, a French national living in Ireland for three years, works as a commis chef and had put back plans to live and work in the Dominican Republic in order to finalise matters. He added that Guibout “does not even smoke hash” as a result of these proceedings and that half of the €1,350 was the result of busking. Garda Rodgers then made an application for the forfeiture of all of this money.
“What he was involved in was wrong. If he mixed up his money then he has to take the consequences,” said Judge Fahy who then imposed a six month sentence suspended for 12 months. The defendant was then placed on his own bond of €500 with the condition that he be of good behaviour and not re-offend in any manner. An order for the forfeiture of the €1,350 to the State was also granted.
For possession of cannabis the defendant was convicted and fined €500 with three months to pay.
