Man allowed cellar to be a cannabis factory to provide daughter with mobility scooter
A man desperate to provide his daughter with a mobility scooter allowed his Wolverhampton cellar to be turned into a cannabis factory to raise funds, a court heard.
A total of 132 cannabis plants were found at the flat belonging to Peter Ireson in Tettenhall Road, Newbridge, which it was estimated could have produced a yield worth £33,000.
Michael Grey, defending, told a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday that Ireson had been unable to work for several years because of an injury to his wrist so could not afford the kit to aid his daughter who has cerebral palsy.
Ireson, aged 64, was given a 14-month suspended sentence last week having previously pleaded guilty to the production of a controlled drug, namely cannabis.
As the sentence was read out, Ireson put his hand on his chest and told Judge James Burbidge: "You have been extremely fair and understanding."
Mr Grey told the court an operation to Ireson's wrist in 2013 had gone 'spectacularly wrong' leaving him in constant pain and unable to work. He said two men suggested to use his cellar to grow cannabis.
Police searched the flat on May 18 and found the cellar was being used to produce the drug. Ireson was arrested and accepted his involvement, stating to police his motivation had been to raise money for the mobility scooter which would cost him around £2,000.
Ireson also breached a conditional discharge for battery. He was given a one-month suspended sentence to run concurrently with the drug sentence.
