A DRUG user wrecked his home when his secret cannabis farm overheated and sparked a devastating fire.

Ian Shotton’s “amateurish” attempt to grow plants in the loft of the rented semi has left his landlord with a £35,000 repair bill.

And it has resulted in the 34-year-old’s girlfriend ditching him because of the danger he placed her and her three children in.

Shotton’s barrister, Jonathan Walker, told Teesside Crown Court yesterday: “It has effectively torched the family make-up, the relationship with his partner and any faith she has in him.

“He is trying to rebuilt that faith and trying to rebuild that relationship, but those bridges are very slow to rebuild because he has tested her patience to a most phenomenal level.”

The court heard how Shotton’s girlfriend had no idea he had turned the loft of their home in Milton Street, Darlington, into a drugs factory.

He spent hundreds of pounds on plants, a timer, done lights, buckets, tubing, insulation and a water butt to save money on his £60-a-week habit.

The blaze started in the early hours of August 21 last year when two power boosters were put next to highly-reflective silver paper, and the intense heat burned into the carpet.

Judge Stephen Ashurst told Shotton, a ground-worker: “What you did was risky because of the way the equipment had been laid out in the loft.

“It is something you did not appreciate at the time, and it’s very important to stress that I have to sentence you for your act in producing cannabis and not any offence of criminal damage.”

Shotton, now of Ribble Drive, Darlington, admitted producing Class B drugs. Prosecutors offered no evidence on a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He was given a 12-month community order, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Ashurst described the drugs venture as “folly” and told Shotton: “There have been consequences, and the fire, of course, is a major one, and it’s something I have to take account of.

“The landlord has had that property ruined. A report from last October gives an estimate of more than £30,000 to effect repairs.

“I have read about the consequences in terms of your relationship, and your partner has effectively had enough because of the risk to her and the children. Whether that can be resolved, time will tell.”

Prosecutor Christopher Baker told the court that Shotton admitted he had no knowledge of electricals and the fire was his fault, when he was quizzed afterwards.

When police and fire crews turned up at the scene at 5.45am, a friend had helped get the children out of the house.

Shotton approached officers, and confessed: “Look, I’m going to be honest with you, I tried to grow cannabis in the loft.”

Mr Walker said: “His partner was blissfully unaware that this grow was being conducted under the roof of her three children, two of whom she has with the defendant.

“Had the defendant been aware that there was such a risk, he never would have conducted this foolhardy escapade.

“He wasn’t taking full leave of his senses. He was a heavy cannabis user at the time, aiming primarily to make life cheaper for himself and cut loss into the family budget.

“Right from the outset, his primary instinct and intention had been trying everything and anything be can to try to rebuild the family unit.”