R v Flatt [1996] Crim LR 576 Court of Appeal
The appellant was a drug addict who became indebted to his supplier. According to the appellant his supplier had told him to look after some drugs otherwise he would shoot his mother, grandmother and girlfriend. He was convicted of possession with intent to supply. He appealed contending that in assessing whether a person of reasonable firmness would have acted as he did, his characteristic of being a drug addict should have been taken into account.
Held:
The appeal was dismissed and his conviction was upheld. Drug addiction was a self-induced condition not a characteristic.
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