A Kenton dad has said he started a cannabis farm at his home as a result of being bored while on furlough during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Police attended the property of Steven Squibbs at around 8am on March 16 following a tip-off from a member of the public that a cannabis farm was in operation inside.
Joe Culley, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court that there was condensation on the upstairs windows and fans could be heard blowing.
Officers gained access to the rear of the property after receiving no response by knocking at the door.
Inside one of the bedrooms they discovered an illicit operation featuring a total of 30 cannabis plants, while the electricity was found to have been bypassed.
Mr Culley said: "Upstairs inside the property was a bedroom and in that room there were six lights hanging from the ceiling and the room had eight separate plug sockets, the window was blocked by materials attached to a sheet of plywood."
Squibbs returned home while officers were still in attendance at his home and he was arrested.
The 25-year-old replied no comment when he was interviewed at a police station.
Jamie Adams, mitigating, told the court Squibbs only began cultivating cannabis out of "boredom" due to the tarmacker being furloughed by his employer.
He said: "He's worked since he left school at the age of 16.
"He had been on furlough. Furlough isn't what we all think it is - 80% of your earnings. He was getting £280 per week and it was proving very difficult to live on with all the responsibilities he has.
"He takes full responsibility for the care and looking after of his three-year-old boy who comes to stay with him every weekend.
"He has told the probation service how it was he came to be growing cannabis. It was because of the boredom of doing nothing for so long he started growing cannabis.
"But then it was becoming too costly to be feeding what had become a bit of a habit.
"This has frightened him coming to court today."
Squibbs, of Wycliffe Avenue, Kenton, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis and the extracting of electricity.
Recorder Neil Haythorne sentenced him to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months.
He told him: "You need to know and understand that you came close to going to prison today.
"You need to reflect on that and make sure you don't find yourself in the dock at the crown court ever again.
"You are getting an opportunity today and you should use it wisely."
Squibbs was also ordered to carry out 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work.
