Ex-UKIP candidate jailed over cannabis factory

A FORMER UKIP election candidate has been sent to prison for running a skunk cannabis factory in Pirbright.

Units used for the production of the strong class B drug were found by police in 2011 at land near the army ranges known as Stoney Hill Farm.

On February 6 this year a jury found Paul Clarke, 30, of Portland Drive in Merstham, guilty of being concerned in the production of cannabis. Anthony Mallard, 46, of Hornhurst Road in Horley, was also convicted of the same charge.

The pair were jailed for three and two years respectively at Guildford Crown Court on Friday (March 8).

"Once you involved yourself in an operation on this scale you knew you were going to go to prison if you were caught," said Judge Neil Stewart.

"I can see no other option but a term of immediate imprisonment."

The judge praised the work of police officers who stumbled upon the site while searching for a stolen forklift truck.

"The circumstances were that in November 2011, through a chance discovery then intuitive policing from two astute police officers, an installation was found in a yard on a farm in the Pirbright area," he said.

The court heard they found three units connected by a hidden corridor and containing a large number of plants.

Prosecutor Caroline Carberry said: "There were 360 plants housed at three units on an isolated farm in Pirbright, set up with high intensity lights, fan units and a large generator."

She said the cannabis was worth around £30,000 and could have produced an annual yield of 4.92kg.

In mitigation, Gordon Zachary, representing Clarke, argued that although the number of plants was high the operation was not professionally run.

He quoted a forensics report which said: "The plants appeared spindly and there was yellowing of the leaves which may indicate they were of poor health."

However, Judge Stewart said: "The category is not solely based on the arithmetic of the plants found. It's more to be based on the scale."

He said the operation was "on a scale for commercial use" and described Clarke as having a management role.

Clarke has recently become primary carer for his two children, but Judge Stewart said: "It's unfortunately often the case that innocent people suffer when other people choose to become involved in crime."

Both Clarke, who stood for the UK Independence Party at the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council elections in 2010, and Mallard will serve their sentences less 15 days already served. They will also forfeit the generator used to power the factory.

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk 11/03/2013