Man grew cannabis plants in his 84-year-old mother's loft  

A man who secretly cultivated cannabis in the loft of his 84-year-old mother's home has been jailed.

Phillip Donaghey (41) claimed in court that the 52 plants found growing in the loft were for his personal use for pain relief.

But Judge Robert Brown rejected his explanation, saying: "The number of plants is too great."

Leicester Crown Court was told police visited his mother's home in John Street, Enderby, on an unrelated missing person's inquiry on July 18.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said: "The officers spoke to her and she was extremely confused and said she thought there was someone upstairs.

"The officers went inside and saw a ladder leading to the loft and discovered a set up for the production of cannabis, with extractor fans in place."

The court heard that 28 plants were being grown and the remainder had been harvested or were seedlings.

The electricity meter had been by-passed.

While the officers were there, the defendant returned.

He falsely claimed he did not live at the house, despite his personal possessions being there as well as post addressed to him at that location.

"His fingerprint was found on a timing device switch in the attic, " said Miss Rose.

The harvest was estimated at 2.6kg, with a potential street value of £14,840.

Donaghey admitted producing cannabis and abstracting electricity and was jailed for two years.

Olwen Davies, mitigating, said: "He suffers from severe pain due to chronic physical health problems.

"He didn't want to go into the murky world of drug dealers and thought he'd grow his own.

"He's now going to attend a pain-management clinic."

His mother was unaware of the cannabis growing in her attic, the court was told.

Donaghey gave evidence, claiming he used the cannabis for pain relief, mainly in cooking, and estimated the harvest would have lasted him about six months.

He said he had learned about cultivating cannabis from the internet and it was his first attempt.

He never intended to supply it to anyone, he said.

Judge Brown said: "I don't accept all 52 plants were for your own use, but I do accept you have significant physical disabilities and mental health issues.

"You're not a sophisticated dealer."

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk 21/10/2013