West Bridgford cannabis grower who hasn't worked for 30 years snared by police
Two rooms and the attic had been set aside to grow the weed at the Boxley Drive West Bridgford address of Johnson, who has not worked for 30 years, and when officers executed a search warrant at Harding's Stoke Bardolph home they found a second grow as well as more than £3,500 in cash.
Sentencing the trio, Judge Philip Head said: 'Not only were you delivering plants to Johnson, Harding, but you had your own grow at home in a house that contained children. This dates from December 2022 and no compelling reason has been given for the delay.
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'That delay is not your fault and the important thing is that since that time none of you have offended since. Johnson, it was your house, it was your grow and you were gearing up for a new grow. This was your operation. You last worked when you were 17 and have ignored previous probation help to get you into work..'
Serena Varatharajah, prosecuting, said police officers were observing Johnson's address in Boxley Drive and on December 29, 2022, watched as Harding carried cannabis plants into the address from a van which was parked outside. She said Burke then left the address, was stopped and searched and a small amount of cannabis and a mobile phone was seized from him which showed he had been selling the class B substance.
The prosecutor said: 'Johnson then exited the address and drove away and Harding exited and ran from the police, discarded items and attempted to snap his iPhone. Officers could smell cannabis coming from the address and they found two rooms and the loft had all been converted to growing areas.
'There were lights and the usual paraphernalia and there appeared to have been a recent crop and the drug expert concluded there had been a cannabis grow to a commercial level. Cannabis was recovered which the drugs expert valued at between £4,200 and £12,600 at street level. There was also a single wrap of cocaine.
'As a result a search warrant was issued at Mr Harding's address and more plants were found valued at around £2,000 as well as £3,670 in cash.'
Johnson, 47, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis, possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of cocaine and was handed a 15-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with 175 hours unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation sessions.
David Watts, his barrister said his client's previous conviction of possession with intent to supply drugs was 20 years old. He said: 'He is more than willing and able to do unpaid work, should that be in your honour's mind?'
Harding, 37, of Kingfisher Road, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis and supply of cannabis and was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years with 140 hours unpaid work.
Nick Walsh, mitigating, said his client works in the building trade and his pre-sentence report shows he is now not taking drugs. He said: 'Two-and-a-half years ago he was a heavy user of cannabis but now he no longer does.'
Burke, 42, formerly of Wycliffe Street, Basford, and now of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession of cannabis and was handed a 32-week jail term, suspended for 18 months with 15 rehabilitation sessions.
Lucy Jones, defending, said her client did have a more serious criminal record when he was younger but that dropped off following the birth of his daughter in 2012 and there has been no further offending since this in 2022.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, which could lead to the defendants being stripped of cash and assets, will take place at a future date.
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