Bowthorpe man jailed for growing cannabis in his garage

A Bowthorpe man was found growing cannabis in the garage at his home, which had a potential street value of £25,000 after neighbours complained about the smell emanating from his property, a court heard.

Gary Cullum, 55, had turned part of his garage in Tippett Close into a cannabis factory and plants had been cut and left to dry, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Martin Ivory, prosecuting said police made the raid after complaints about the smell of cannabis.

'There had been a significant smell of cannabis emanating from the address.'

He said that officers seized the cannabis, which was estimated to have a street value of about £25,000.

Cullum told police that it was first time he had grown the plants and it had produced more cannabis than he expected.

Cullum admitted production of cannabis and possession with intent to supply.

Michael Clare, for Cullum, said it was not a commercial operation but had produced so much cannabis he probably would have given some to friends and sold a small amount.

'It looks likely he would never have got round to selling any of it, although he had so much, he probably would have done.'

He said he had grown the cannabis as he hoped it might help with his arthritis.

He said there was fewer than 28 plants.

Jailing him for six months, Judge Katharine Moore accepted he was not in particular good health and that the operation had 'lacked the hallmarks of sophistication.'