Melton man (70) jailed for four years for growing cannabis

Frank Haines (70), who pleaded guilty to cultivating the drug at a property in Broadstairs, Kent, was sentenced at a recent hearing at Canterbury Crown Court.

Neighbours of a house in Bromstone Road, Broadstairs, had reported suspicious activity at the address and when officers arrived at the property on November 27 last year they found evidence of cannabis being cultivated.

They found two rooms, one set up with power and water supplies and the other contained a total of 70 cannabis plants being grown under lighting and fans.

The electricity was bypassed to an estimated cost of approximately £9,000.

Haines, of Leicester Street, Melton, was arrested and charged with producing cannabis and abstracting/using electricity without authority on January 17.

Investigating officer Pc Richard Guarnieri said: “When officers attended the address the smell of cannabis was unmistakeable.

“Cannabis is an illegal substance and its growth and supply contributes directly to a network of drug use that fuels crime.

“Haines may have been disappointed that we discovered his secret but I trust this sentence will give him opportunity to think about the serious consequences to his behaviour.

“It should send a message out to anybody who believes they can get away with being involved in the production of drugs.”