Cannabis plants found at home of Walsall man whose offending behaviour escalated
A man has been jailed after dozens of cannabis plants and growing equipment were seized at a house in Walsall.
Ian Marsh, aged 62, of Kent Avenue, Reedswood, was described as having a significant and escalating role in the enterprise after 49 plants were discovered at the address on May 6 last year.
He pleaded guilty to an offence of cannabis cultivation and an offence of abstracting electricity at a previous hearing at Walsall Magistrates Court.
Sentencing him at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday, Recorder Miss Nicola Williams said the defendant's offending behaviour had escalated and he had "gone up a class".
"I am inclined to see this as significant and at the top end of the sentencing guidelines. I note that you have not been in any trouble for a number of years. Your position is also aggravated by your previous offending record.
"It is a shame to see a man of your age and health conditions go into custody which is inevitable. You should not be committing offences which can you jailed for a significant period of time," she said.
For the offences Marsh was jailed for a total of three years and ordered to pay victims' surcharge £228.
The recorder also order the forfeiture and destruction of the the plants and drug paraphernalia.
