"Responsible citizen" admits producing cannabis plants in Plymouth
A MAN has admitted helping to produce and cultivate 86 cannabis plants worth up to £30,000.
A MAN has admitted helping to produce and cultivate 86 cannabis plants worth up to £30,000.
Plymouth Crown Court heard that Daniel Goulding, aged 30, of Cecil Street, Stonehouse, rented a house in Fairfax Terrace, Devonport, which was searched by police and found to contain a large haul of cannabis plants along with the paraphernalia for growing them.
Prosecutor Garth Richardson said: "On February 28 this year, during the early hours of the morning, police received an anonymous report that the address was being burgled. The door had been damaged and they could smell cannabis. They searched the premises and discovered cannabis plants being grown in the bedroom. Later on in the day police searched the property again and it soon became apparent that the electricity supply had been tampered with."
Mr Richardson said the value of the plants was estimated to be between £22,000 and £31,000.
The court heard that Goulding was a minor player in the operation. He denied he had rented the house, claiming he was in debt and was told he could clear it by "keeping an eye on the property".
Mr Richardson said: "He was expected to visit it, to make sure the address was not burgled or anything taken. He said he did not play any part in what was happening in the property."
Assistant recorder Stephen Climie said: "You may have felt that the motivation for maintaining these plants was a good one because of the threats you were receiving, but that is no excuse for behaving in the way you did. You are a man of good character and save for these events you are a responsible citizen."
Goulding pleaded guilty to one count of producing a Class B drug and was handed a 12-month community order with a requirement to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk 21/03/2014
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