Illegal immigrant faces deportation after being caught inside a Hebburn cannabis farm

Albanian national Alesio Kqira had been tending to cannabis plants at the property at Jutland Avenue, in Hebburn, when police arrived on November 10 last year. Newcastle Crown Court heard plastic sheets covered one window at the house and a total of 120 cannabis plants were growing in three separate rooms inside.

Pictures of the farm show specialist lighting and heating facilities had been installed and the court heard the electricity at the house had been bypassed.

Police had to contact the electricity company to make the building safe.

Kqira, 19, of no fixed address, made no comment during police interview and later pleaded guilty to production of a Class B drug.

Paul Cross, defending, said Kqira is "naive" but hard working and got his first job in his homeland at the age of 15.

Mr Cross added: "He left Albania because of the state of the economy and the difficulties in making a living there.

"He came to the UK for a better life, hoping to find employment here."

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Mr Cross said Kqira is aware he is likely to be deported back to Albania.

Judge Nathan Adams said Kqira entered the UK illegally, has no right to work and nowhere to live and added: "Is it a matter for the government whether you remain in this country or are deported."

The judge jailed Kqira for six months.