A CANNABIS cultivation expert was not impressed with the horticultural skills of a 29-year-old man.

Blackburn magistrates heard the expert criticised the lighting levels and the growing of plants of different ages and said it was doubtful how many would actually have survived.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Leon David Eccles was a complete novice when it came to cannabis cultivation.

“He clearly didn’t have a clue what he was doing,” said Mr Taylor. “The number of plants is irrelevant because the expert’s view is that many would not have survived let along reached maturity.”

Eccles, 29, of Mill Hill Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis. He was made subject to community supervision for 18 months with a six month drug rehabilitation requirement and ordered to pay £145 costs.