A HEROIN addict who was involved in setting up three cannabis factories has been jailed for two years.

Sentencing David Pollard, 52, Judge Peter Hunt told him: “This was a sophisticated enterprise.”

Prosecutor Richard Walters told Bradford Crown Court that police found three cannabis factories at separate addresses.

Pollard, of Canterbury Avenue, Canterbury, Bradford, pleaded guilty to three counts of producing cannabis.

Co-defendant Gareth Daniel, 24, of Berkeley Street, Bradford, pleaded guilty to two counts of producing cannabis, and was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years, and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid community work and a ten-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

A third defendant, SaraWright, 40, of Hydale Court, Low Moor, Bradford, pleaded guilty to one charge of cannabis production and was given a 12-month community order, with a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement and a ten-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Diane Varey, 52, of Canterbury Avenue, who faces one charge of producing cannabis, failed to attend court and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Mr Walters said the first cannabis factory was found by police at Belton Close, Little Horton. When they arrived they saw Daniel holding a large cannabis plant. He ran off but was arrested.

Inside the property was a cannabis factory with fans, lighting and ventilation. Twenty cannabis plants were discovered with an estimated street value of more than £15,400. Pollard was linked to the property by DNA on a cigarette.

Police discovered a second factory in Canterbury Avenue. Officers were allowed entry by Varey and found a similar set up, including blacked out windows and plastic sheeting on walls. Seventeen plants with a street value of £13,110 were found. All four defendants were linked to the address.

The third factory was found at Ley Fleaks Road, Idle. The court heard it was the home address of a man who was now in a vegetative state following a road rage incident. Fifty-six withered plants were found there, with DNA from a drinks can linking Pollard.

Pollard’s barrister, Jeremy Barton, said his client had a heroin addiction and his offending was linked to drugs.

The court heard that Daniel was of previous good character and had got into debt. Wright was simply a “gardener” and played a lesser role.

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