Bingley cannabis grower in breach of court sentence (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bingley cannabis grower in breach of court sentence

10:00am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News

A 46-year-old man who brandished a machete at an off-duty police officer and threatened to “chop him up” was caught growing cannabis in breach of a suspended jail sentence.

Paul Tasker, of York Crescent, Bingley, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to production of cannabis on June 8 last year.

Seven cannabis plants, with a harvested street value of almost £6,000, were found after the fire service was called to his home.

The offence put him in breach of a suspended jail sentence imposed in March last year for having a bladed article in a public place.

The court heard yesterday Tasker threatened the officer with the weapon when he challenged him about collecting scrap metal.

Tim Capstick, Tasker’s barrister, said he had completed the unpaid work order attached to the suspended sentence, despite the fact he was in poor health.

Judge David Hatton QC sentenced Tasker to a 12- month community order with 80 hours’ unpaid work.