THE entire first floor bedroom space of a house was given over to the growth of cannabis, a court heard.

Police activated a warrant at the address in Horden, County Durham, on February 2 this year, and although no-one was present at the time, a search revealed a large cannabis production operation.

Durham Crown Court was told three first-floor bedrooms of the property, in Bruce Kirkup Road, were converted into growing units, fitted with sophisticated heating, watering and lighting systems.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said a total of 65 plants were being grown in the three rooms, with a potential yield to make up to 11,500 cannabis cigarettes, worth an estimated £29,000 in street sale terms.

The finger print of David Anthony Turner, whose partner held the house tenancy at the time, was found on a dust sheet in one of the bedrooms, while his driving licence and bank details were among documents at the premises.

Although he previously denied the offence, 28-year-old Turner, now of South Crescent, Peterlee, admitted cannabis production yesterday, when his trial was due to begin.

The court was told he has a similar previous conviction for which he received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, which he was still subject to, at the time of his arrest for this offence.

William Byrne, mitigating, said Turner’s motive was financial, to pay off a large debt, but he did not benefit from the crop as the plants had not reached maturity and remained uncultivated when police made their search.

Judge Simon Hickey, who described it as, “a substantial grow”, jailed Turner for a total of two-and-a-half years, including six months of the previous suspended sentence.

Proceeds of crime inquiries will now begin to see what sum of money can be confiscated from the defendant.