A MAN has been sentenced after police found a cannabis farm by “pure chance” in the loft of his Carlisle home.
Police went to the Mount Pleasant Road address on January 3 to speak with Aaron David Sewell about an unrelated matter.
Sewell, 27, was not present but his mother allowed officers to enter the Currock address and look for him.
“He was nowhere to be found,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson, who told how police did see ladders leading to a loft and made a “pure chance discovery”. “Light was emitting and within the loft space was found the set-up of a cannabis grow.”
An expert concluded the potential yield of mature plants within the “modest” 31-plant farm could have been up to 1,500g worth £15,000.
The court heard there was no evidence to suggest onward drug supply by father-of-four Sewell, who admitted a cannabis production charge and was said to be a 3.5g-a-day user.
After concluding the drug was predominantly used by Sewell to alleviate severe medical complaints – including rheumatoid arthritis and an undiagnosed neurological condition – Judge James Adkin suspended an eight-month jail term for 12 months.
Sewell must also complete a four-month night-time curfew.
