Police found cannabis farm worth up to £10,000 in two rooms of South Shields house

Jamie Beverley, 32, was found with 23 plants when police raided the Reed Street property at Chichester, South Shields, after a tip-off.

The 1.27kg haul was worth at least £2,000 but had a potential illegal market value up to five times that amount, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

Beverley pleaded guilty to production of cannabis when he appeared in the dock exactly two years to the day since his arrest.

He had fallen off the justice system’s radar due to a change of address and now lives with his partner and two children at Elizabeth Avenue, Birtley.

Prosecutor Paul Anderson said: “It’s an offence that dates back two years. There are two rooms with cannabis plants, there are 23 plants.

“The plants are located, and samples are taken, and in due course the defendant is arrested for this offence.

“There is 1.27kg of skunk cannabis that is worth between £2,000 and £10,000 on the street.

“If sold by ounces, it would have the higher value. One never knows in these cases how well a crop will grow and produce.”

Mr Anderson added: “It’s a familiar tale of a drug user deciding to grow it himself.

“He knew that growing cannabis was against the law, but his view was that the police would turn a blind eye if it was for personal use.”

John Brown, defending, said: “Since this incident two years ago, he has not come back to the attention of the police or the courts.

“Reed Street was his former residence. It was a council house and he was rehoused, so the police always knew where he was.

“He has one previous conviction for possession of a small amount of cannabis. In two years, he has not reoffended.”

From the dock, Beverley admitted he still regularly used cannabis and took cocaine once a month.

He was given an 18-month community order with a requirement of 140 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days with the Probation Service.

He must also pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

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