Written by Tom Chiltton on July 22, 2009
Only days after giving a guilty plea to charges of growing pot, Jamie Waylett, an actor in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, was sentenced to serve 120 hours of community service in a London court on Tuesday. Waylett, whose role is bully Vincent Crabbe in the movies, was originally arrested for growing marijuana in his mother’s home in April.
Waylett was arrested, along with friend John Innis, after police searched a car he was riding in, discovering 8 bags of pot, as well as a knife. Authorities then raided the mother’s home, finding 10 marijuana plants, which were estimated to be worth £2,900 and were growing under hydroponic lights beside a PlayStation.
During the 15-minute hearing, District Judge Timothy Workman told the 20-year-old in front of the City of Westminster Magistrates Court that he accepts that the growing of the plants was on a small scale and not a commercial venture, but there was a sophisticated growing system involved. The judge added that he gave the actor credit for pleading guilty the first chance he got, cooperating with authorities, and until then, being of good character. Workman decided against jail time, of which could have put Waylett behind bars for 14 years.
According to Reuters, the friend of Waylett’s was sentenced to serve 6 weeks in a young offenders’ institution, as well as pay a fine of £500. He pleaded guilty of possessing a knife and 11 bags of pot.
Waylett’s 20[sup]th[/sup] birthday happened to be on Tuesday as well, and outside the courthouse he was quick to make amends with his employers and fans. He said that he extends his sincerest apologies to everyone involved with making the ‘Harry Potter’ films and especially to all of the fans.