Cumbria's top judge has called for mephedrone to be upgraded, saying there was ‘increasing concern’” about it in the county.
Judge Paul Batty QC said that, if it was up to him, the drug should be Class A, not B, because of the effect it had and that he was aware of users losing all memory of their behaviour. “It is causing particular concern because of the social implications and the corrosive effect it has on the youngsters who take it,” he said.
Judge Batty, Honorary Recorder at Carlisle Crown Court, said he had been made aware of a case where those who took the drug had no memory of the crimes they then went on to commit. “I have heard evidence where they have no recollection because of the effect it had on them,” he said. The judge was speaking while sentencing 18-year-old Steven Liddle who admitted supplying mephedrone, and possessing it and ketamine.
