The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Police found cannabis plants growing in a shed during a raid in Holbeach St Johns, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Wednesday (February 24).
Officers discovered the plants after visiting the Travellers Rest in the village and speaking to Stuart Price who was living in a caravan on the site.
Jonathon Dee, prosecuting, said the electricity supply to the shed had been interfered with so that it bypassed the meter.
Mr Dee told the court: “The defendant showed the police into the sheds. There was a relatively basic cannabis production set up. There were 23 immature plants.
“Price said he had previously grown a crop that was stolen from him. This was a new crop he intended to use for himself.”
Mr Dee said that an estimated £4,600 worth of electricity had been obtained after the meter was bypassed.
Price (34), of Langary Gate, Holbeach St Johns, admitted charges of producing a controlled drug and illegally abstracting electricity on December 1, 2015.
He was given a four-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 18 months of supervision.
Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, said there was evidence that Price had been using cannabis to deal with health problems.
The judge added: “You are in a new relationship and you have taken positive steps to rid yourself of cannabis.”
Neil Sands, defending, said that Price should be given credit for entering a guilty pleas at an early stage.
