Cannabis farmer could face prison

A CANNABIS farmer is facing time behind bars after police found 30 plants growing in his Newcastle home.

Steven Stubbs was running a “sophisticated” drugs operation at his house in Kenton, including bypassing electricity to the property.

But police were tipped off about the possible cannabis farm and executed a warrant to search the property on Fulbrock Road.

A court heard that Stubbs was caught out after he returned to his home whilethe officers were still inside and admitted he was the sole occupier.

Now, the 25-year-old, currently living on Wycliffe Avenue, in Kenton, has been warned he could go to prison after he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a class B drug and abstracting electricity.

Lesley Burgess, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, said police received the tip-off on March 16 this year. She said: “Police attend the address where the defendant resides. They stated that, immediately from standing outside the property, they could hear a fan going inside.

“They have gained access then, in a room, 30 cannabis plants are found.

“It was sophisticated, there was a number of lights, transformers, wood placed across the windows and a fan was going.” The court heard that officers were in the process of dismantling the drugs farm when Squibbs returned home.

An energy company confirmed Squibbs had abstracted electricity as the property had been bypassed.

Miss Burgess said the case was so serious, it should be sent to the Crown Court for sentence. John Wesencraft, defending, agreed.

He added: “I’m not going to even attempt to persuade you otherwise -– this is a Crown Court case and I would invite you to send it there.”

Magistrates committed Squibbs to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence and bailed him to next appear there on May 13.