Police find drugs worth £17,000 (From The Northern Echo)

Police find drugs worth £17,000

5:28pm Monday 6th February 2012 in Hartlepool News

POLICE found cannabis plants with a potential yield of nearly £17,000 when they raided a house and searched a loft, a court heard.

Matthew Evans told officers he had been growing the drugs for two months to treat depression brought on by a serious accident.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 26-year-old painter, from Hartlepool, has had 22 operations on an eye injury and has weekly clinic visits. His solicitor, Martin Scarborough, did not reveal how or when the accident happened, but said Evans had received an insurance payout.

"He got into a spiral of depression, smoking cannabis obtained from friends, and then he accepts setting up the farm found by police, " he said.

"He has ceased taking cannabis and his mental health has improved."

The court heard how police found the 28 mature plants when they raided the rented house in Bruntoft Avenue, Hartlepool, on May 19, last year. The loft had been lined in reflective sheeting and fitted out with transformers and a dehumidifier, said prosecutor Rachel Masters.

Evans, who is now living with his parents in the town's West View Road, after being evicted from the house, admitted producing Class B drugs.

Judge Peter Bowers imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered Evans to undergo probation service supervision.