Man denies growing cannabis in former village pub (From The Northern Echo)

Man denies growing cannabis in former pub in West Cornforth

8:30am Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

A MAN has denied tending a flourishing cannabis farm in a disused village pub.

Mao Cong Nguyen is alleged to have overseen growth of 453 cannabis plants at the former Balaclava Inn, in West Cornforth, County Durham.

Police found the plants in various stages of growth after executing a search warrant at the old High Street hostelry, on Wednesday November 14, following a tip-off by a member of the public.

Mr Nguyen, who is believed to be aged 18, and of no fixed abode, was arrested at the premises.

He has remained in custody since the raid and yesterday (Tuesday February 19) appeared at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court.

Speaking via a Vietnamese interpreter he denied producing a controlled drug of class B, namely the 453 plants, as well as abstracting “a quantity of electricity”.

The case was adjourned and Mr Nguyen was remanded in custody pending the start of his scheduled trial, at the court, in the week beginning April 8.

More Crime News

• Darlington business partners in court over stolen car parts
• Woman jailed for threat to kill husband
• Three arrests after man injured in suspected assault
• Police force reviews officers' dealings with Savile
• Teenage driver who killed pedestrian in Stokesley locked up for five years and is named
• Driver, 60, dies after collision with single decker bus
• Watchdog asks North Yorkshire Police for details of links to Savile
• Driver, 60, dies after collision with single decker bus
• Man suffered leg and face injuries in nightclub attack
• Two jailed for their part in cash-for-crash insurance scam