Cannabis grower betrayed by smell of skunk factory after nearby businesses complained
A cannabis grower was caught when nearby businesses complained to the police about the stench from the 67 plants in his home.
A cannabis grower was caught when nearby businesses complained to the police about the stench from the 67 plants in his home.
Royston Woodall claimed he intended to use his entire harvest himself as a treatment for backache, even though it could have earned him £200,000 a year if he had sold it on the streets.
Police raided his home after using thermal imaging cameras to check it following complaints from people and businesses in Torbay about the smell.
Woodall, aged 49, of Staddon Gardens, Torquay, admitted production of cannabis and was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court.
The Judge told him:"You say you regularly grew 20 to 28 plants to provide for your own consumption and for pleasure and pain relief and you are fortunate the Crown have accepted that explanation."
Miss Janice Eagles, prosecuting, said:"Police went to this defendant's home on March 5 after complaints from people working in local businesses about the smell of cannabis.
"Police had earlier checked the property without success but decided to use a thermal imaging device which showed Woodall's address giving out a lot of heat."
They found 28 adult plants, 37 seedlings, and two ‘mother plants' used in producing future crops. The total potential yield was estimated at between 1.8 and 5.4 kilograms with a maximum street value of £54,000.
The hydroponic system in his loft was capable of producing four harvests a year. He said he was a heavy cannabis user who smoked to alleviate health problems.
Miss Felicity Payne, defending, said Woodall stood by his basis of plea, which stated he had no intention of passing on the drugs to anyone else and growing them entirely for his own use.
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk 10/07/2014
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