A man whose home had been turned into a cannabis farm that was potentially worth thousands claimed it was all for "personal use".
When police raided Stuart Malcolm's Houghton-le-Spring home, they found a cannabis farm that included around 348 plants which had an estimated value of between £33,000 and £145,000. And despite the potentially vast yield, the 53-year-old claimed it was all for his personal use after his arrest.
Malcolm, who also had over £1,500 cash on him at the time of the raid, was charged with producing cannabis and later pleaded guilty to the offence. He appeared at Newcastle's Moot Hall on Friday to be sentenced.
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The court was told police found the cannabis farm in two bedrooms after going to Malcom's home in the early hours of January 18 2021 and that the address had been "given over" to growing the plants. Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said: "The defendant and cannabis was found inside (the property). Numerous plants were found in various stages of growth."
Mr Ahmad said around 348 plants were found which had an estimated value of between £33,000 and £145,000, and when he was arrested he had £1,560 cash on him. He added: "In interview, the defendant said he was growing (the cannabis) for personal use."
Malcolm, of Railway Terrace North, New Herrington, Houghton-le-Spring, had 23 previous convictions for 74 offences, which included drugs and driving offences. He had also received prison sentences in the past for drug offences.
Rachel Hedworth, defending, was not required to fully mitigate on his behalf after the judge indicated he would pass a suspended sentence.
Sentencing Malcolm, Assistant Judge Advocate General, Adam Smith, said his claim that the grow was for personal use was "nonsense" and that there was was "a substantial amount of money to be made". He said: "I'm sure you had a commercial element in mind." Malcolm was handed a 20 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and was made subject of a nine-month electronic curfew between 9pm and 6am. He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
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