Cannabis plants found in city flat

A total of 15 cannabis plants, in various stages of cultivation, were found in the cupboard of a Perth city centre flat after police obtained a search warrant for the property.

Officers also seized plant feeder, a lamp and a digital thermometer, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

And when 36-year-old Stevie Bairstow returned to his house in St Catherine’s Road, his van was searched.

That produced seven bags of“herbal material,”found within a plastic holdall, according to depute fiscal Michael Sweeney.

The total weight of the Class B drugs was 300 grammes and had an illicit value of £1500.

“The potential value of the plants was also around £1500,”he added.

Bairstow will be sentenced on February 21 after a background report has been prepared.

Solicitor John McLaughlin will give his plea in mitigation then.

The accused admitted that on June 12 last year, at his home, he was concerned in the production of a controlled drug by cultivating and growing cannabis plants.

He also pled guilty to a second charge of dealing in the Class B drug.

Mr Kelly said various people, including a gas engineer, had gone to the flat about 10am that morning and forced entry to complete the servicing of a boiler.

A fan heater was spotted in the hallway along with a number of cannabis plants in the cupboard.

They informed police who obtained a search warrant.

The plants were in“varying stages of maturity.”

Bairstow made no reply when cautioned and charged.