Man grew cannabis to help with depression

A MAN who smoked cannabis to help him deal with depression decided to begin growing his own in order to keep his supplies up, a court heard.

Paul Garland turned his home in Bardolph Street East, Belgrave, Leicester, into a “sophisticated” cannabis farm.

However, police learned what the 51-year-old was up to and raided his home last year.

They discovered eight plants and that Garland, who has a previous conviction for cannabis cultivation, had bypassed the electricity meter to power the cultivation system he had created.

Tampering with the electrics to bypass a meter can heighten the risk of fire.

Garland appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court to admit two offences - cannabis cultivation and abstracting electricity.

Prosecutor Sally Bedford told the court police officers executed a search warrant at Garland’s home in February last year.

She said: “When they got inside the officers found a cannabis growing set-up - there were two small and six mature plants growing in a firstfloor bedroom.”

There was “some sophistication” to the set-up, she said, as it included a timer-controlled watering system and ventilation.

She said: “Officers then noticed the electricity meter had been bypassed. Western Power were called and made it safe.”

He committed the same offence in 2015, Ms Bedford added.

Garland’s solicitor, Ishtiaq Sarwar, told the court: “He says that at the time of his arrest he was smoking a lot of cannabis.

“He suffers from ADHD and depression and has done for a number of years.

“He was relying on cannabis. It was the only substance that would help him.

“He is now on medication and has been referred to a new therapist who has managed to get him out of the hole he was stuck in.

“He has been in a job since February and recognises cannabis does more harm than good to him.”

He has agreed a plan with Scottish Power to repay £1,700 - the estimated value of the electricity he had used illegally.

“There was no evidence at the property of any sale of the drugs,” Mr Sarwar added.

District judge Nick Watson told Garland: “I accept it was only eight plants, but it was a sophisticated setup. All the evidence I can see is that this was the beginning of an enterprise rather than the end of it.

“These offences are made more serious by two factors - your previous conviction for doing just the same thing, albeit a few years ago and also you were abstracting the electricity.

“Not only is that dishonest, but it is also dangerous and a risk to property and lives.”

Garland was jailed for 14 weeks, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £122.

The court ordered the destruction of the drugs.

Previously, police in the west of the city have urged private landlords to keep a closer eye on their properties and to report any concerns to police.