Willenhall dad had £37,000 drug factory after developing habit
A father of two set up a £37,000 drug farm in a factory unit he was renting after developing a cannabis habit, a judge heard.
Wayne Robottom started smoking the narcotic when aged just 14, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told. The 30-year-old began renting a factory unit in Newhall Street, Willenhall, last October and soon had 45 plants being cultivated by a hydroponic system. The crop was uncovered four months later in February by a power company worker who forced entry to the premises over an unpaid £1,480 electricity bill.
He intended to cut off the electricity, but discovered that it had been by-passed.
The plants were close to harvest and would have raised up to £37,800 if sold in small street deals, revealed Miss Heather Chamberlain, prosecuting.
Robottom arrived at the scene shortly after the police raided and told officers: "It's mine. This is the stupidest thing I have ever done."
He explained that he had initially rented the unit to set up in business, but had decided to grow cannabis instead.
The defendant's claim that he was growing the drugs for himself was dismissed by Judge Michael Challinor after a report from an expert disclosed that a very heavy cannabis user would take at least 18 months to smoke their way through the haul.
Miss Ramya Nagesh, defending, said: "This was his operation. There were no incriminating text messages on his phone and no large amount of money.
"He was a heavy cannabis user who started smoking the drug when aged 14. By last year the habit was costing him £70-a-week, but he has now self referred for help with the habit.
"He is ashamed of what he has done, has self referred for help with his drug use and is now at a point where he can make changes to his life with assistance."
Robottom, of Simcox Road, Wednesbury, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and received a one year jail sentence suspended under supervision for 18 months with 250 hours of unpaid work and £425 costs.
