A MAN was found guilty of possession with intent to supply after claiming a large quantity of cannabis was for medical purposes, writes Glenn McMahon. Leon Brown, of Aylesbury Street, Neasden, told Harrow Crown Court that drinking cannabis tea with lemon

A MAN was found guilty of possession with intent to supply after claiming a large quantity of cannabis was for medical purposes, writes Glenn McMahon.

Leon Brown, of Aylesbury Street, Neasden, told Harrow Crown Court that drinking cannabis tea with lemon and honey relieved his irritable bowel syndrome more effectively than prescribed drugs.

However, the prosecution said that with such a large amount the intent was to supply.

The 24-year-old was arrested on January 18, 2009, in Longstone Avenue, Willesden, after 975g of the drug, worth thousands of pounds, was found in the car he was driving following a short pursuit by police.

Brown denied knowing he was being followed in the unmarked police car and said he was going to help with children's football training in Roundwood Park, Willesden.

But police challenged this saying their lights were flashing as Brown drove off at speed causing them to lose sight of him.

PC Blowers said when they apprehended Brown as he entered Roundwood Park on foot he gave a false name and denied driving the car - which Brown denied doing.

He had also thrown the car key into a bush.

The court then heard that during questioning at Wembley police station, Brown made no mention of his irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) despite being asked if he had any illness or medical condition.

But he said he thought they were concerned about him harming himself and that the IBS was not important.

The haul was estimated to have a value of between �2,175 and �2,900 the court heard, but Brown said he paid �1,200 for what he thought was four or five ounces.

A cannabis expert said 975g, of what he described as 'skunk,' would amount to approximately 1,934 joints.

Police said no weighing scales or plastic bags were found - paraphernalia associated with drug dealing - and that his phone and text records didn't imply drug dealing.

The court heard from one expert witness that drugs don't cure IBS but it was plausible to use it to relieve the pain although he had never heard of such use.

It was also said that it would make more sense to smoke it than to drink it.

Leon Brown will be sentenced at on September 10.