Cannabis farmer called police to report plants had been stolen

Matthew Warnes was immediately arrested when officers arrived at his home in Rotherham, in the early hours of July 4 and discovered more plants and an unsophisticated growing operation.

The 29-year-old had spent £250 of money given to him for Christmas on growing equipment from internet auction site eBay as he was finding it too expensive to buy the class B drug off the street.

Prosecuting at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Mark Hughes said: “He called the police to say that three of his cannabis plants had been stolen.

“When they arrived they found a further three intact cannabis plants, from 18cm to 42cm in height, and a small growing set up.

“They also found bags containing cuttings of dried cannabis, suggesting this was a continuing operation.”

In mitigation, Louisa Giblin said the operation was not sophisticated and called on the district judge not to impose a custodial sentence.

Sentencing Warnes to 26 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and ordering him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, District Judge Jane Goodwin said: “The fact that you yourself phoned the police to report this is not a mitigating factor.”

Warnes was also ordered to pay £85 costs.

He refused to comment after the case.