Jail for father who farmed thousands of pounds of cannabis
A BARDNEY man who admitted growing cannabis plants worth thousands of pounds to help ease his back pain was jailed for six months on Friday.
Father-of-two Andrew Cluett, 39, was caught with 24 plants after police executed a search warrant at his home in Harvey Kent Gardens.
Lincoln Crown Court heard officers discovered three “growing tents” in an upstairs bedroom and cannabis drying out elsewhere in the property.
Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said 20 cannabis plants found in one of the tents were close to maturity, while four other “mother plants” were discovered in another tent.
Mr Scott told the court that police also seized 81 dealer type bags, a set of scales and hydroponic growing equipment.
The street value of all the cannabis found in the house was estimated at just under £8,000 and the cost of the growing equipment at £2,000.
Cluett admitted a charge of producing cannabis and told police it was all for his own use.
He later admitted selling a small amount to friends.
Michael Cranmer-Brown, mitigating, told the court Cluett’s primary aim for growing the cannabis was to help combat his back pain.
Mr Cranmer-Brown said: “He is somebody with a sorry recent medical history, and because of the painful and unpleasant problem with his back became involved in taking cannabis.
“Because of the cost involved he took the decision to begin growing it himself.”
Mr Cranmer-Brown added that Cluett was also the sole carer for his two teenage sons who would now have to fend for themselves.
Passing sentence, Judge Michael Heath told Cluett his personal circumstances were not enough to avoid a prison sentence.
Judge Heath told him: “The offence is one for which I can only justify custody.”
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Thursday 20 June 2013
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