Cannabis factories man jailed for fraud

A Black Country man who used a stolen identity to rent out houses which were later used as cannabis factories has been jailed for fraud.

Ian Lewis, aged 25, told police he was unaware the properties would be used to produce the drug, although he was suspicious they were being used for an illegal operation. Judge John Cavell imposed a 16-month jail term at Worcester Crown Court.

He said he had to accept the explanation offered by Lewis in the absence of proof otherwise.

Lewis, of Macdonald Close, Tividale, admitted eight charges of fraud, which included acquiring a £48,000 Audi on hire purchase from a Wolverhampton garage by using someone else's driving licence and bank documents.

Peter Parson, prosecuting, said the driving licence had been lost by Jack Bromfield, who contacted police last year when he was questioned about a letting transaction.

A police investigation revealed Lewis had used the licence to rent Throckmorton House, Mustow Green, near Kidderminster, and houses in Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, Plymouth Road, Redditch, and The Limes, Bromsgrove.

All turned out to be cannabis factories.

Significant

Mr Parson added: "It must have been apparent that this was not a legitimate operation."

Benjamin Nicholls, defending, said Lewis was introduced to Vietnamese men who loaned him £100, which he lost, and the only way out to repay them was to rent property with a driving licence and bank documents provided by them, the court was told.

Damage costing £8,795 had been caused to the house in Mustow Green.

Judge Cavell said Lewis must have been aware that the houses he was renting were part of a professional operation to which his criminality made a significant contribution.

By Tony Bishop