Former Bradford soldier grew cannabis at home (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Former Bradford soldier grew cannabis at home

9:00am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News

A former soldier who taught himself to grow cannabis by watching footage on You Tube and nurtured a £20,000 crop has been spared jail so he can continue to care for his young daughter.

Scott Blackwell, who served in Northern Ireland and the former Yugoslavia, pleaded guilty to the production of the Class B drug at his home in Harrogate Street, Bradford. He also admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply and abstracting electricity.

Prosecutor Chris Smith told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that Blackwell, 32, researched cannabis cultivation on You Tube and bought the seeds on eBay.

Police seized 19 cannabis plants from his cellar on January 4, with a potential yield of 2.3 kilos.

It was estimated that he had dishonestly taken £600 of electricity.

Gillian Batts, Blackwell’s barrister, said he was not a drug-user and set up the cannabis farm to make money.

He was of good character and caring for his daughter.

Judge Jonathan Rose sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work.

He said Blackwell had set up “a cottage industry” growing cannabis for profit and would normally have been jailed for up to two years.

He was taking an “exceptional” course for the sake of his daughter.