£300,000 investigation into cannabis growing Forest of Dean couple
A CANNABIS growing couple, who were the subject of a vicious attack in which she was hit over the head with a shotgun, will have to explain where £300,000 came from.
A CANNABIS growing couple, who were the subject of a vicious attack in which she was hit over the head with a shotgun, will have to explain where £300,000 came from.
Frances Williams and Bronwen Davies were found to have a drugs den hidden in the garden of their Mitcheldean home.
The factory, containing more than £20,000 of the drug at their Plump Hill home, was discovered when two men stormed into the house on April 4, last year hitting her in the face with the shotgun, punching and kicking her.
Gloucester Crown Court heard Gloucestershire Police's financial investigations team were looking into £300,000 of their assets.
Defending Joe Maloney said the money would have to be looked into further and that the pair had already paid £1,500 per month in legal aid payments to a total of £15,000.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC questioned how the Legal Aid Commission calculated the cost - asking how much they thought lawyers were on.
Mr Maloney described the costs as "rubbish". He said: "These people are like many people in the county. It is nonsense and it affects ordinary people."
The couple had to pay the costs while the case was ongoing, but could get a refund after it ends.
Judge Tabor urged the couple to work with Mr Maloney in the £300,000 proceeds of crime investigation into their assets.
He told them: "This is the problem. If you grow cannabis and you have got unexplained money coming into your account. You cannot bury your head in the sand."
The next hearing will take place on May 22.
Davies, 33, and Williams, 41, who have children, both admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis.
Williams pleaded guilty a further charge of supply and 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 months and will have to carry out 120 hours unpaid work.
http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk 10/03/2014
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