Couple caught with cannabis worth £18,000

A COUPLE were caught with more than a kilogram of cannabis with a potential street value of up to £18,000 at their home in Newport.

Paul Kemp and Emma Woodyatt were found to have various growing equipment in their property, including highpower heat lamps, fans and a humidifier, along with more than £6,000 in cash.

Speaking at Newport Crown Court prosecutor Nigel Fryer said: “It is quite clear this was a commercial operation.”

The court heard police executed a search warrant at the couple’s home in St Edward Street on July 7 last year.

Officers found 20 cannabis plants and growing equipment including five highpower lamps, three fans, and a humidifier. Mr Fryer said officers recovered about 1.25kg of the Class B drug and found the electricity was being abstracted.

The court heard police also seized £6,170 in cash, including £5,860 from a television cabinet.

Prosecutors said the potential street value of the cannabis recovered was around £18,000.

When he was interviewed by the police Kemp accepted he was growing for financial benefit.

He stated it was his first crop but a specialist police officer said the evidence suggested there had been at least two previous crops.

Woodyatt accepted she was aware cannabis was being grown but was not aware of the extent. She told officers she got involved because she was having financial difficulties.

Kemp, 40, from St Edward Street, Newport, admitted producing cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

The court heard he had a previous conviction for cultivating cannabis in 2013.

Gareth Williams, defending, said both defendants made early admissions at the police station.

He said Kemp had never been to prison before and was “fearful of custody”.

Judge Tom Crowther QC said: “His eyes were open because he had done it before.”

Mr Williams said Kemp was a “family man” with two children and works on construction sites.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Crowther said: “You previously had a clear warning that this sort of thing was unacceptable.

“You undertook this on a commercial basis, simply to make easy money.” Kemp was jailed for 10 months. Woodyatt, also 40, from the same address, admitted allowing her premises to be used for the production of cannabis. Mr Williams said she had no previous convictions or cautions.

Woodyatt was given a 12-month community order requiring her to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. There will be a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act later in the year.