'˜Naive' South Shields man spared jail after setting up DIY drugs farm in rented shop

A '˜naive' would-be business boss, who was caught green-handed growing a cannabis farm in a shop he rented, has been spared jail.
Christopher Scott, who was spared jail for settung up a DIY cannabis farm.Christopher Scott, who was spared jail for settung up a DIY cannabis farm.
Christopher Scott, who was spared jail for settung up a DIY cannabis farm.

Dad-of-four Christopher Scott hired the premises on Dean Road to set up a DIY business but set up a 32-plant drugs operation after carrying out research on the internet and buying cannabis seeds from a shop.

But the 30-year-old’s crime was uncovered when his landlord spotted the growing concern during a visit to the shop and called in police.

The former charity shop in Dean Road, South Shields, which Scott used as a cannabis farm.The former charity shop in Dean Road, South Shields, which Scott used as a cannabis farm.
The former charity shop in Dean Road, South Shields, which Scott used as a cannabis farm.
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Scott, of Westoe Road, South Shields, admitted production of a Class B drug at an earlier hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court and was warned he could be locked up.

He was back in the dock on Friday for sentencing and clung onto his liberty after being slapped with a suspended jail term.

Paul Anderson, prosecuting, said: “The premises were rented out to the defendant.

“The landlord attended on November 11, found the cannabis farm and called police.

The former charity shop in Dean Road, South Shields, which Scott used as a cannabis farm.The former charity shop in Dean Road, South Shields, which Scott used as a cannabis farm.
The former charity shop in Dean Road, South Shields, which Scott used as a cannabis farm.
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“Police discovered a black tent in a rear room with fans and lighting and green cannabis plants, which were two- foot high. They were thought to be between four to six-weeks-old and had not yet matured.

“The defendant was arrested and admitted the offences.”

Ia Haq, defending, said Scott’s enterprise was ‘more successful than he had anticipated’ but insists he grew the drugs only for his own use.

Mr Haq said; “He had hired the premises for a legitimate purpose. The cannabis was grown in a room being used for storage.

“He purchased four packets of eight cannabis seeds from a shop in Sunderland.

“He didn’t expect it to be successful.

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“The equipment he used was purely lighting and fans and he would go round to water the plants occasionally.

“He was more successful than he anticipated – but more by chance than anything else.”

Scott was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, by magistrates.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and an £85 victim surcharge.”

Russell Hewitson, chairman of the magistrates, said: “We hope you have learnt your lesson. You have been very naive.”