A man producing up to £12,000 worth of cannabis in his home was busted – after a heated lamp he used to grow the drug fell over and set fire to his flat.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was called to Thomas Watson’s top-floor flat on Elba Street in Ayr at 9pm on January 26 last year after a downstairs neighbour reported smelling smoke.
Watson, 59, refused entry to firefighters when they requested to check his flat over, claiming a small cooker fire was the reason for the smoke, which he had extinguished.
He stated that he did not need assistance but firefighters stressed they needed to inspect the property.
After entering the home, SFRS officers discovered cannabis plants and equipment used with the production of the Class B drug.
Watson was later questioned by the police where he accepted that a cannabis growing light fell over and set fire to the flat.
The plants were said to be worth between £200 and £400 each, with a total evaluation given as between £6000 and £12,000.
The total damage to the property was estimated at £740.
Solicitor Ian Gillies said Watson is on bail for the offence and has been cooperating with the court process, adding he “has been no difficulty to deal with”.
Watson pleaded guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court to producing cannabis and to culpably and recklessly leaving a heated lamp switched on and unattended, causing a fire within a top-floor flat within a block of flats.
Sentencing for Watson was deferred until a later date for the court to obtain social work reports and a restriction of liberty order.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
