Dying Midlands crook Steven Rodenhurst on the run

A businessman with months to live has gone on the run in India after police busted his £150,000-a-year drugs farm at a mansion in South Staffordshire.

Steven Rodenhurst was jailed for four-and-a-half years in his absence at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The 58-year-old was found hiding in the cellar of Greenhills, a seven-bedroom house standing in 20 acres in Codsall, two weeks after officers uncovered almost 1,000 cannabis plants at the £1.75 million luxury home.

The retired demolition and salvage company boss was later convicted of drugs charges and granted bail while sentencing reports were drawn up. However, he wrote to the judge to say he was going to Goa – and went.

The court heard yesterday how Rodenhurst had been given 18 months to live by doctors as he was suffering from cancer and a weak heart.

Judge Martin Walsh said: "A warrant has been issued for his arrest but based on information available to me it seems that he is in India. Whether he returns or not is out of my control but if and when he does return he will start to serve this sentence."

Police raided Greenhills in Stafford Lane on February 17, 2010. They found 924 cannabis plants and also seized £13,000. Rodenhurst had been renting the property for eight years.

Rodenhurst, who has also used an address in Beeches Road, Kidderminster, claimed the large drugs haul was for his own use but a jury found him guilty of producing cannabis with intent to supply following a trial on January 16 this year.

Prosecutor Oliver Woolhouse said: "Estimates suggest that with three growing cycles a year, the potential yield was £150,000. He had been granted bail pending sentence."

Mr David Potter, defending, said: "The defendant has significant health problems and has been told by doctors that he may have only 18 months to live."

By John Scott