Pregnant Dudley woman let home be used as a drugs factory
A pregnant woman who allowed her home to be used as a cannabis factory that had an annual yield of up to £60,000 has been spared an immediate jail sentence.
Her former partner was jailed for 22 months for producing cannabis.
When police entered Louise Greenshill's home on Deepdale Lane in Lower Gornal they found a hydroponic set up covering all floors, and 37 cannabis plants, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Miss Jane Sarginson, prosecuting, said the house was a rented property, but the couple's relationship broke down and Greenshill moved back to her parents.
The court heard that Greenshill, aged 24 and Dempster, aged 25, lived rent free for looking after the plants.
Greenshill, of Melvyn Road, Bilston, pleaded guilty to allowing her home to be used for producing cannabis on the basis that she was under pressure to do it and fearful for her own safety if she did not.
Dempster, from Ashtree Grove, Walsall, admitted producing cannabis on the basis he was a gardener and he had no significant input into the factory.
Both defendants did not gain financially from the factory, the court was told.
Mr Tim Sapwell, defending Greenhill, told the court that the property did not belong to her, and she had lived in fear of detection.
Judge Mark Eades sentenced Greenshill to 18 weeks in prison, which was suspended for one year.
He also ordered her to be surpervised by the probation service for 12 months.
Dempster was jailed for 22 months.
