AN illegal immigrant living in Bradford has been jailed for 12 months after he was caught working at a sophisticated cannabis factory.

Albanian national Beqar Rrapushaj hoped to earn £4,500 for 30 days employment at the grow in Ramsgate Street, Halifax, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Rrapushaj, 36, who was living in Thornbury Avenue, Bradford, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of 426 cannabis plants on June 6.

Prosecutor Timothy Jacobs said he had paid £6,000 to get into the UK seven months ago.

He was arrested at the property when the police raided the cannabis factory following a tip-off from a member of the public.

Rrapushaj climbed onto the roof of the house in bid to get away but he eventually came back down and let the officers into the address.

Mr Jacobs said there was a sophisticated set up inside the property that was capable of producing significant quantities of cannabis for commercial use.

Police seized more than 420 plants which would have yielded 23.5 kilograms of the drug.

In a prepared statement given to police after his arrest, Rrapushaj said he came to the UK illegally and had hoped to receive £4,500 after 30 days.

The married father-of-two had no previous convictions and the court heard he had not received any money from his work at the cannabis farm.

Solicitor advocate Safter Salam, for Rrapushaj, said that he had been playing a lesser role under direction from others and got involved through naivety.

He explained that his client had already paid £4,000 to get into the country to work but still owed £2,000 to the traffickers.

Recorder Richard Wright QC said it would have been absolutely obvious to Rrapushaj that he was involved in a sophisticated criminal operation.

“You indicated that you expected to be paid £4,500 in cash for 30 days work within that house,” he said.

He took account of the fact that Rrapushaj would be separated from his family while serving his prison sentence and that would be a difficult experience for him.