Dad grew drug at home to feed his habit

CANNABIS smoker Mark Cohen grew the drug at his home to feed his habit, a court heard.

North Staffordshire magistrates yesterday heard police executed a search warrant at Cohen's address in Rothesay Road, Normacot, on October 5 last year.

Prosecutor Sandra Whitehurst said officers found a first floor bedroom converted into a 'cannabis factory' with fans, transformers and digital scales.

Officers seized 24 mature cannabis plants. There were also nine baby plants. The estimated yield was 1,080 grams with a value of £8,320.

Best Price online or offline cooker

Hylands Ltd & Panasonic Store

View details

Print voucher

Hotpoint HUE61P
60cm electric double oven
Ceramic Hob
Timer
AA rated
ONLY 459.90 and thats delivered Fast & free rom our vast warehouse stocks
Why not visit our Longton cooker centre for a look

Terms: The best deal is on your doorstep - only condition is you have to be prepaired to shop locally, supporting a local firm and live within 25 miles of one of our branches
How good is that?

Contact: 01782 342609

Valid until: Sunday, June 02 2013

Mrs Whitehurst said the electricity had been bypassed but Cohen was not being dealt with for that by the court.

The defendant's mobile phone was seized but there was nothing found relating to the supply of drugs.

Cohen, aged 42, told police he has used cannabis for 24 years and smoked two thirds of a gram a day.

He said he set up the operation and expected the plants would last him six months.

Cohen, now of Brighton Street, Penkhull, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis between August 1, 2012 and October 6, 2012.

Rob Hill, mitigating, said Cohen was honest with the police and had no convictions for six years.

He added the defendant paid a hefty penalty in that he lost his house as a result of the raid.

Magistrates said the offence was aggravated by Cohen's previous conviction for possession with intent to supply a class A drug, the electricity was abstracted and his daughter was in the house at time when the cannabis was being grown.

They sentenced him to an 18-month community order with 18 months supervision and a drug rehabilitation requirement.

Cohen must pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Magistrates also ordered the destruction of the cannabis and growing equipment.