Cannabis plants found after wanted man spotted

Officers swooped to detain the individual who was suspected of being involved in an earlier burglary.

He had just left an address on Wolverhampton's Scotlands Estate prompting a search of the property that resulted in the discovery of a £38,000 drug farm on April 20, the city's Crown Court heard.

The officers found 45 cannabis plants under cultivation in a back bedroom at the house in Keats Road where 37-year-old Lindsey Till lived with her young son.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, explained: "A male seen leaving this address was wanted for questioning about a burglary and as a result of this the premises were searched."

He said the drug farm was capable of producing between £8,000 and £38,000 worth of street deals of cannabis, depending on the quality of the crop.

Till told police she had allowed it to be set up in her home by a man who agreed to waive a £6,000 debt she owed him when the cannabis was harvested.

Mr Jon Roe, defending, said: "Unfortunately she borrowed money for Christmas for herself and her child. She later found out that the amount owed had spiralled to £6,000.

"This was the hook used to reel her in because she was then offered the opportunity to pay it off by allowing cannabis to be grown in her home. She bitterly regrets having let her son, family and herself down by accepting the offer."

Till pleaded guilty to permitting the production of cannabis and was given an 18 month community order with 200 hours unpaid work and £100 towards the costs of the case.

Judge Marcus Tregilgas-Davey told her: "Clearly you were contrite and honest with the police from the outset after your arrest."