A self-employed builder used his skills to construct a DIY cannabis farm when he found street drug prices had rocketed during the Covid pandemic.
Lee Hedley, 40, knocked up a hydroponic tent at his home in Greenhead, Oxclose, Washington – and grew eight plants for personal use.
Bizarrely, his illegal production of the banned class B drug was uncovered when police turned up looking for another man for a separate crime, a court heard.
They did not find their intended suspect, but Hedley confessed to his cannabis habit when he returned home midway through their search.
He was so compliant he even pointed officers in the direction of an extra small amount in a different indoors location on Saturday, February 13.
Prosecutor Marc Atkins told magistrates in South Tyneside: “Police attended the defendant’s house, looking for a wanted male.
“Upon searching the address, a small cannabis farm was located in a hydroponic tent.
“Eight cannabis plants were found, and a quantity of dried cannabis was around the house.
“While there, the defendant arrived back at his house and said that he was growing it for personal use.
“He pointed officers to other cannabis around the house.
“He was taken to Southwick police station in Sunderland. His mobile phone was downloaded, and there was no evidence of supply.”
The court heard Hedley has nine previous convictions for 49 offences, the last in 2019 for causing criminal damage.
Jason Smith, defending, said: “The reality of the situation is that Lee has had a very difficult 12 months with Covid.
“He’s a self-employed builder who has found that work has dried up.
“As a consequence, he’s had some depression and started dabbling with cannabis.
“He had purchased some last year and found that the costs of purchasing cannabis were ridiculous.
“He decided to give growing a shot. He was relatively successful with that.
“The police came around on another matter and he said he was growing it for his own use.
“His doctor has now prescribed medication, and Mr Hedley has not touched cannabis since. The police even took his tent.”
Hedley pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and was fined £120, with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
Magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the plants.
