Game over for computer fan found growing cannabis in loft

A DRUG user whose life involved going to work, coming home and playing computer games while smoking cannabis was caught growing the class B drug in his loft.

Derby Crown Court heard how Andrew Marcer had converted the attic at his Derbyshire home to cultivate the crop, bypassing the electricity and putting in lighting.

But police were told what was happening at the 41-year-old’s Swadlincote address and raided it.

After finding him in the garden, Marcer was initially reluctant to let them see the loft but when he did officers came across the grow and arrested him.

Handing him a 10-month jail term, suspended for two years, Judge Nirmal Shant QC said: “I am satisfied you have a habit smoking cannabis and have had for a number of years.

“You were quite open and frank with the police and the probation service and you have had no intervention which the probation say would assist you. In those circumstances it is possible for me to suspend your sentence.”

John Dunne, prosecuting, said police went to Marcer’s Woodville address on April 24, last year, after receiving information the class B drug was being grown at the property.

He said they found him in the garden and he let them into the house to conduct their search.

Mr Dunne said: “He was reluctant to let them into his loft space but eventually allowed them access.

“They found the loft had been converted into a cannabis grow, the walls were covered in reflective material, lights were hanging from the ceiling, there was a carbon extractor and there were chemicals.

“Eleven plants were found in one area and 29 in another making 40 plants in total. He said when questioned the cannabis grow was partly for his own use and partly to make cannabis oil for his father.

“Also at the property was some £6,430 in cash.”

The defendant, of Court Street, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis and abstraction of electricity, between January 1 and April 24, 2020.

Barry White, mitigating, said his client provided references from his employer and a neighbour, both of which referred to him as “dependable and helpful”. He said: “He is a 41-year-old man whose last conviction was in 2012 and who has been smoking cannabis since the age of 16.

“He lives a fairly quiet lifestyle, going to work, coming home and playing computer games smoking cannabis. He tells me he wants to change his lifestyle. “Recently he has paid £1,000 towards the £1.900 bill he received from his electricity supplier for the electricity he abstracted.”

As part of the suspended sentence Marcer was ordered to attend drug rehabilitation sessions and carry out 100 hours unpaid work.

He lives a quiet lifestyle, going to work, coming home and playing computer games smoking cannabis.

Barry White