A FATHER-of-seven has been jailed for 14 months for setting up a cannabis farm to pay off a £25,000 gambling debt.

Saghir Shahid, 40, was caught with 53 cannabis plants in a locked room at the family home in Blenheim Road, Manningham, Bradford, on December 14 last year.

Prosecutor Lorraine Harris told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that the electricity system had been bypassed at the house.

Shahid, who pleaded guilty to production of cannabis, told the police the farm was set up to pay off a £25,000 gambling debt.

Shahid's solicitor advocate, Ashok Khullar, said he had seven children, aged from seven months to 18.

He was of previous good character and worked as a mechanic until ill health forced him to give up the job.

When he was out of work, he had escalating gambling debts and the man he owed money to suggested he grew cannabis to pay him back.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said he had been handed references showing that Shahid was well thought of in his community.

He was a family man with an unblemished record but immediate custody was the only option.

"You decided to raise money by growing 53 cannabis plants to pay £25,000 worth of gambling debts," Judge Durham Hall said.