'Threats of violence' forced fishing ponds owner to grow cannabis  

A FISHING ponds owner claimed he was forced into producing cannabis through threats of violence and his home being burnt down.

Charles Anthony Booth, 61, former owner of Bradley fishing ponds and now of Spinney Close, Immingham, admitted he watered the 27 cannabis plants and kept them lit.

But he said he only did it because he was threatened with violence and could have had his caravan burned down.

He lived on the site which is regularly used by fishing clubs and hosts fishing competitions.

At Grimsby Magistrates' Court, Booth was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year.

He was also placed on an electronically-monitored curfew between 7pm and 11pm for eight weeks.

Magistrates were told Booth had a "lesser role" in the production of the plants which was masterminded by others, and discovered when police executed a drugs warrant on September 25 last year.

Prosecuting, Nick Wyman said the 27 plants were found in a barn at Bradley Ponds after information was received by officers.

The plants were grown in two shipping containers which had lighting systems inside.

Mr Wyman said Humberside Police had investigated if any other people were involved in the production.

He said: "They have not identified any other offenders."

For Booth, Edward Bates said his client had a lesser role in the production of the cannabis.

He said the barn was rented to a third party.

Mr Bates said: "He thought it was for storage. He only discovered what it was actually being used for sometime later when he investigated an electrical power cut in the barn."

He said his client was threatened with violence if he reported the cannabis to police.

The solicitor said Booth feared the caravan, in which he lived at the fishing ponds, would be burned down.

Mr Bates said: "He filled up the plants with water to a certain level. He was simply following instructions for people further up the chain. It was done through coercion."

The solicitor said his client, who suffers from anxiety and depression and has attempted suicide on two occasions, had recently been declared bankrupt.

Mr Bates said his client had the support of his family and was remorseful for his role in the crime.

http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk 5/3/2014