A Northumberland drug dealer was found to have a cannabis farm hidden in his loft.
Police discovered up to £2,800-worth of the class B drug when they searched Daniel Thorpe's home in Bedlington. The remains of a cannabis farm, including lights, heaters and plant pots, were also found as well as a set of scales, a court was told.
The 30-year-old, of Victoria Terrace, in Bedlington, was arrested and has now been given 12-month community order after he appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to possessing a class B drug with intent to supply and production of cannabis.
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Stephanie Cook, prosecuting, said police attended Thorpe's home on December 15 2020 after reports of a disturbance. Miss Cooke continued: "A search of the address revealed a large quantity of cannabis throughout the address.
"There was also the remains of a cannabis farm, including lights, heaters, bags and empty pots. The total value of cannabis grown and cannabis found was between £1,410 and £2,800. Scales were also found. The defendant was interviewed and provided no comment."
The court heard that dad-of-two Thorpe, who has 12 offences on his record but none for drugs, claimed to suffer from agoraphobia and was a heavy user of cannabis at the time, smoking up to 7g a day. Graham Crouth, defending, added: "It was cheaper to grow his own rather than be supplied by somebody else.
"He set up the farm in his loft, it was a small cannabis farm, growing one to two plants at a time." Magistrates were told that Thorpe sold some of the cannabis to his friends to cover the "set-up" costs of his cannabis farm.
As well as the community order, Thorpe was also fined £50 and must pay £95 costs.
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