A man spotted running from a house where more than 100 cannabis plants were discovered by police has admitted caretaking the makeshift drugs factory.

Homeless Ravi Singh Chokker was offered £1,000 to babysit a total of 105 plants at the house in Tasker Street, Walsall, but said he never saw the money, a court heard.

When police arrived at the house last July, the 25-year-old was seen running off.

He was told by a judge, at Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday, he was in “serious trouble” after admitting being involved in the production of cannabis, and failing to appear at his previous hearing on February 2.

Mr Peter Smedley, prosecuting, said officers gave chase when they saw Chokker emerging from the property at 3.25pm on July 31, but he escaped.

They later found £100 in notes at the property, and tracked Chokker down through the landlord and from forensic evidence left at the scene.

Mr Smedley said: “He admitted being at the address but was not the tenant.

“He said he was involved in the growing of the infant plants. He said he was at the address for a couple of months.”

Chokker told officers he was promised £1,000 to do the job by a man he knew only as John, and had lived at the property for two months.

He said he did not attend his previous court date as he had split up with his girlfriend.

Chokker, who is homeless but was bailed to an address in Woden Road, Park Village, Wolverhampton, said he had decided not to be legally represented in court.

District Judge Michael Morris said: “You are in serious trouble. “I am going to give you an opportunity to see a solicitor.”

The case was adjourned until Friday in order for Chokker to take legal advice.