A FATHER who ran a cannabis factory in Herefordshire has been jailed for four years and for admitting firearm offences.

Gary Mumford, from The Fulhams near Upper Sapey, admitted illegally importing 10 self-loading pistols and was found guilty of taking part in the production of cannabis.

Worcester Crown Court heard the 57-year-old businessman started the cannabis factory at a rented industrial unit in Hatfield.

In the dock with him was 36-year-old Steven Darnley, of Halesowen, who admitted cannabis cultivation.

He was jailed for 22 months but Recorder Roger Evans said he would soon be free as he had spent 10 months in custody on remand.

Prosecutor Alex Warren said the cannabis factory had been started when Darnley had fitted the electrics.

His fingerprints were found on various equipment although no irrigation system was in place.

When police raided the unit they found 100 mature plants in one room and 93 in another.

It was estimated that one crop could have realised £43,000 and there was the possibility of four crops a year.

Mumford, who ran a gunshop in Tenbury Wells, was a registered firearms dealer but had breached his licence over the import of the pistols from Italy. He claimed that they had been de-activated by slitting the barrels and other work.

His counsel, Nicholas Doherty, said Mumford had even paid for his own forensic expert in an effort to show that he had been acting legally and it was impossible to fire the pistols properly.

Regan Peggs, for Darnley, said he had two previous convictions for growing cannabis but was normally a hard-working electrician and trying to make a living in a conventional way. It was Mumford who had the assets to rent the industrial unit, he said.

The recorder said Mumford was of previous good character and was a successful businessman.

He had brought in Darnley to provide the expertise in setting up and running the cannabis factory