Cannabis grower 'hit over the head with shotgun' escapes jail

A cannabis growing couple, who were the subject of a vicious attack in which she was hit over the head with a shotgun, escaped jail today.

Gloucester Crown Court heard hidden in the garden of the Mitcheldean home of Frances Williams and Bronwen Davies was two rooms containing more than £20,000 if the drug.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner said police were called to their Plump Hill home as two men stormed the address in an aggravated burglary.

He said the pair had got themselves in a "whole host of trouble" before the secret entrance through the shed to the growing rooms dug into the sloped garden was discovered on April 4.

More than two kilograms of plants, which would be worth £21,300 on the street, was found.

Defending Joe Maloney said Miss Davies had returned home and seen two men inside her home.

He said the 33-year-old ran, but was pursued by the men.

He told the court: "She was captured and grabbed. She was struck in face with the shotgun, punched and kicked and was told she might have her kneecaps shot.

"She cowered and they ran off as the police had been called.

"Two men have been arrested, but it was a bad enough experience."

The court was told Williams had been a cannabis smoker and set up the growing rooms, but Davies had tended to them when he was away.

The couple, who have two children, both admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis and Williams, 41, pleaded guilty a further charge of supply.

Mr Kesner said Williams, 41, told police he had been supplying four to five of his friends with the drug, as they were smokers too.

Mr Maloney said he was a well-respected man and she was a dedicated charity fundraiser, who was missing out on climbing Mount Everest to raise funds for children with a learning difficulty.

Judge William Hart said he "took mercy" on the pair, neither of whom have previous convictions, and spared them an immediate jail term.

Williams sighed with relief when he was given a 14 month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.

Davies was given a 20 week sentence suspended for 12 month s and will have to carry out 120 hours unpaid work.

He told the couple, who both bought bags to court anticipating prison sentences: "You have come as close as anyone can to going to prison today."

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk 10/10/2013