Wolverhampton pensioner grew £34k of cannabis

Brian Bucknall had a total of 76 plants growing in his house in The Scotlands.

Judge Robin Onions, sitting at the city's crown court, told him: "Behave yourself. You're really old enough to know better."

Bucknall, of Emerson Road, was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting growing cannabis and dishonestly obtaining electricity.

But Judge Onions told him, had he been a younger man, his sentence might have been different. "However, I take account of your age and health problems, and I am able to show a degree of mercy," the judge said.

Miss Heidi Kubik, prosecuting, said police discovered the cannabis plants when they visited Bucknall's home in connection with an unrelated matter in March 2013.

"It was immediately obvious cannabis was being grown on the premises," she said. "There was a pungent odour and bright lights coming from the upstairs."

Miss Kubik said 76 plants were found in the house, 58 of them in the attic and a further 18 in a back bedroom.

"The plants had not yet reached full maturity," Miss Kubik told the court. "If they had, then the defendant could have reaped benefits of many thousands of pounds, potential valuations range up to as high as £34,000."

Miss Kubik said Bucknall admitted during interview that he had grown the cannabis to raise money to pay off debts.

Mr Nicholas Berry, defending, said his client was of previous good character but had got into financial difficulties.

Speaking from his home after the case, Bucknall said he wanted to put it behind him, adding: "I have learned my lesson." He was made the subject of a four-month curfew, a 12-month supervision order and ordered to pay £100 costs.

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