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Impressed judge lets off heroin addict
A JUDGE has let a heroin addict with a 30-year drug habit walk free from court after being so impressed with his efforts to go clean that he consulted him on his sentence.
District Judge Ian Baker asked Clayton Francis, 53, if he felt he needed a drug rehabilitation order to be imposed on him after being told he was giving it “a damn good try” to give up drugs.
Mr Francis, who has spent most of his life in jail or dependent on heroin and crack cocaine, was given a conditional discharge for a year by Highbury Corner Magistrates Court last Thursday after admitting possessing heroin, crack cocaine and one cannabis cigarette.
Mr Francis, of Agincourt Road, Gospel Oak, was spotted by police officers in September in Bayham Street, Camden Town, where he was searched and arrested for possession of drugs.
But Mr Francis, representing himself, told the court he had made up his mind to get off drugs after being introduced to drugs workers at the police station.
He said: “I needed help and I didn’t know how to go about it. When I was arrested a lady came in and told me about it (drugs counselling) and I said fine, I’ll go. I’m giving it a damn good try sir.”
District Judge Ian Baker told him: “When the court has a man like you who’s 53 and has made up his mind to do it, I don’t need to, do I? You’re doing it yourself.”
Asking Mr Francis if he felt he needed any kind of drug rehabilitation order, Mr Baker said: “It’s a question of whether you need any more structure.
“You’re old enough to know your own mind. I’m going to give you a surprise. I’m not going to impose any penalty on you. I’m going to give you a conditional discharge for 12 months. Mr Francis well done.”
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Francis, who has been dependent on cocaine for almost 30 years, moving on to heroin in 1990, said: “The judge was sympathetic and understanding – he’s probably my age.”
He added: “I’m determined to change. Living in Camden is hell because all the drugs are around us. But it’s not Camden, it’s not the area, it’s me.
“When you have done so much bird (prison) you get to a certain age where you say enough is enough. I’m headstrong, coming off is easy it’s staying off that’s hard.”
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