RESIDENTS called 999 when three men armed with a machete broke into a cannabis farm on Bradford’s Girlington Road, a court heard today.

Elejr Cengu, who was tending and guarding the crop, was heard screaming in terror inside the house as plants were dragged out to steal.

Cengu, 21, an Albanian national who was living at the address, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of cannabis.

He was jailed for 24 weeks by Judge Jonathan Rose who told him the case illustrated the dangers of cultivating cannabis.

“At least three people were prepared to use violence and even weapons to steal these plants from you,” the judge said.

Prosecutor Clare Walsh told Bradford Crown Court that police officers went to the address on February 9 after an anonymous 999 call.

It stated that three men were breaking in with a machete and a man was screaming inside. Cannabis plants were being raided from the house and dragged into the street.

The property had a mattress in the living room and both bedrooms were being used to grow cannabis. There were 20 large plants and 50 smaller plants with a total potential yield of 3.85 kilos. The street value would be around £33,000.

Miss Walsh said the electrics were hanging down in an unsafe condition and the meter had been bypassed.

Cengu had no previous convictions in the United Kingdom or his homeland, the court was told.

His barrister, David McGonigal, said he did not play a significant role in the operation. He had been watering and tending the plants for two months on the instructions of others.

“He has been used,” Mr McGonigal said. “He was to some extent pressured or coerced to pay off a debt in Albania.”

He had a cousin in London he could live with when he was released from prison.

Judge Rose said Cengu had assisted in a serious crime from which others would profit.

The electricity had been bypassed making the house a danger to both Cengu and the people living nearby. It had also attracted armed men intent on stealing the crop.

Judge Rose told Cengu: “Other criminals who want to make money out of drugs will try to steal these plants rather than grow them for themselves.”

Cengu, who was sentenced on a video link to HMP Leeds where he was remanded, told Judge Rose at the end of the hearing: “Thank you very much and may God bless you all.”