Kerry Katona's ex-husband Mark Croft grew '£50,000' of cannabis in Bolton home
Kerry Katona
Kerry Katona
THE ex-husband of former pop star Kerry Katona was caught producing up to £50,000 of cannabis, a court heard.
Mark Croft appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced after pleading guilty to growing dozens of cannabis plants at a property in Bolton between January 1 and April 4 this year.
Recorder Andrew Loveridge was told that a forensic expert estimated the yield from the plants would be more than 5kg, with police saying the drug could have a street value of up to £52,340.
But Philip Parry, defending Croft, disputed the value of the cannabis plants - adding that there were 139 saplings in the crop which can be difficult to grow to maturity.
Croft denied the saplings would have produced such a large yield - reducing the total value of the cannabis he grew.
Mr Parry said it was unlikely that the prosecution and defence could agree on a yield and valuation and so requested the sentence be adjourned until January 12 for a trial of issue to take place.
Mr Parry said: "There is no middle ground here that can be safely alighted on."
A judge will now hear arguments from both sides before ruling on a valuation.
Recorder Loveridge granted Croft, aged 43, of Rutherford Drive, Over Hulton, unconditional bail.
He will be sentenced following the January 12 hearing.
Croft, a former taxi driver, split from former Atomic Kitten singer and television celebrity Kerry Katona in 2009 after a two-year marriage.
The couple, who have two children together, wed after Ms Katona and her first husband, Westlife boy band member Brian McFadden, divorced.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/11500254.Kerry_Katona_s_ex_husband_grew___50_000_of_cannabis_in_Bolton_home/ 27/09/2014
S
Soft Secrets
