A father of three has been spared an immediate prison sentence after he was caught tending a £54,000 cannabis farm at a house in Bradford.

Reece Smith had lost his employment when he agreed to water the plants for money at the address in Toftshaw Lane, East Bierley, his solicitor advocate said today.

Smith, 29, of Breaks Fold, Wyke, Bradford, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis on July 4, 2019.

Prosecutor Fiona Clancy told Bradford Crown Court that he did not set up the cannabis farm and had made no agreement about how much he would be paid.

Police officers went to the address after reports of suspicious activity there.

They found 14 large cannabis plants and more than 150 smaller ones. The estimated yield was 5.42 kilos with a value of up to £54,200, Miss Clancy said.

Tom Rushbrooke said in mitigation that Smith had never been in any trouble before and he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

The offence dated back to July, 2019, and he had not reoffended.

Judge Jonathan Rose sentenced Smith to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 180 hours of unpaid work.

He told him he had taken “the easy option” to earn money, leading to him now having a criminal record.

“It was a folly beyond any level of stupidity,” Judge Rose said.

Smith had otherwise led a responsible and hardworking life and only got involved after losing his employment.