Jail for dad who grew cannabis in his loft (From Thisisdorset)

Jail for dad who grew cannabis in his loft

7:00pm Thursday 5th April 2007 in

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A FATHER of two who converted his loft into a cannabis factory without his family's knowledge has been jailed for 24 weeks.

Heavy cannabis smoker Gavin Lawrance, 30, was on the point of harvesting his first cannabis crop when police raided his former home in Coombe Road, Bournemouth on September 19 last year, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Police found a crop of 14 mature cannabis plants and new hydroponics equipment in former loft insulator Lawrance's attic.

Another room had been created in the attic using chipboard and plastic sheeting, in which were found 15 seedling plants.

In the main bedroom of the former family home was a bag of cannabis and in a drawer was found 1.9g of a white powder later found to be a mix of ecstasy and cocaine.

A wad of £800 in cash was also discovered.

The total benefit of the operation was £8,900 and the recoverable amount was £800, the court heard.

Lawrance pleaded guilty to charges of supplying cannabis, producing cannabis, possession of cannabis and possession of a class A drug.

Lawrance, now of Lulworth Crescent, Hamworthy, told police that he smoked six joints a day, spending around £500 a month on his habit.

He said that he was growing the cannabis for his own use and had bought the bag of cannabis for £120.

Defending, Justin Gau said that Lawrance sometimes sold cannabis to a select number of friends and acquaintances.

He did not make any profit from selling cannabis and was "not a commercial dealer", said Mr Gau.

Lawrance had been given the bag of cocaine and ecstasy by a friend as payment for work he had done, Mr Gau said.

Mr Gau added: "He was extraordinarily frank with police at every single stage about what had happened."

Lawrance's partner was unaware of the factory's existence and has since thrown him out of the family home, added Mr Gau.

Judge Roger Jarvis ordered Lawrance to repay the £800 recoverable amount and ordered forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis plants.

He also ordered forfeiture of the hydroponics equipment and for it to be passed to a charitable nursery.