A GRANDFATHER escaped an immediate prison sentence despite police finding that his home had been converted into a cannabis factory.

Brian Hughes was found with 28 cannabis plants and over £11,000 worth of the drug at his home in Lea Lane near Ross-on-Wye.

In a written statement, the 42-year-old said he had been threatened into growing the drug after owing money to a loan shark.

Harpreet Sandhu, prosecuting, said that on April 14, police were on routine patrol at 3am in the Ross-on-Wye area when they smelt cannabis outside the defendants house.

When they approached Hughes he said: “I’m in so much trouble, I have a big set-up inside. I was just trying to sell it to get rid of my debt.”

Officers were shown inside his house when they found two rooms converted for cannabis cultivation with a third used as a ‘drying area’.

Mr Sandhu said that more than 28 plants were found with the amount of cannabis valued at between £11,000 and £12,000.

Of that seized, Hughes admitted that 78 grammes was for his own use.

In his statement, Hughes said that in February 2015 he was loaned £5,000 from loan sharks and was told he would have to pay £6,500.

He planned to sell exotic birds to replay the money, but then started receiving demands for the money and threats to him and his family.

After being intimidated he agreed to grow cannabis for the loan sharks.

The offence also meant that he breached a suspended sentence for possessing cannabis.

Mark Thompson, mitigating, said the situation had come about because of his involvement in cannabis.

“He was in a difficult situation as he needed money to help his son move from Wales so he found himself borrowing money off these people,” said Mr Thompson.

“He has reached that point in his life when continuing his addiction is destroying his prospects and he needs to be setting an example to his two grandchildren.”

Judge Toby Hooper, sentencing at Hereford Crown Court on Tuesday, said that Hughes effectively set up a domestic factory fit with all the parapahalia including lights, heating and venting.

He told Hughes: “The simple fact is you’re a pot head who has worked up a dangerous cannabis habit.

“You have showed you’re not inconceivable to rehabilitation which would achieve the public interest to prevent further offences.”

Hughes was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and supervision requirement for 12 months.

He was also told to pay a criminal cost charge of £900 and a court surcharge to be agreed.