A MAN who told the courts he let a friend stay at his house while he was out of the country has been jailed after more than 100 cannabis plants were found inside his property.

Aurimas Balnys, formerly of Johnston Street, Blackburn, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court for his role in the production of cannabis.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to allowing the plants to be grown in his property, but said the plants did not belong to him as he had been out of the country between October 2019 and June 2020, during which time he had allowed a friend to stay in his house.

Prosecuting, Francis McEntee told the court that on July 3 2020, police were called to 55-year-old Balnys’ terraced house on Johnston Street after concerned neighbours reported a strong smell of cannabis coming from the address.

Mr McEntee said: “Police entered the house, after Mr Balnys let them in, and they found around 122 cannabis plants.

“There were three rooms given over to the production, which required transformers and equipment for lighting.”

The court heard there were 37 plants in one room, 82 in another, and three in a rear bedroom.

Forty of the plants were matured and if sold on the streets, would have been worth an estimated £17,840.

The remaining 82 plants were expected to be harvested some months later.

Mr McEntee continued: “This was an ongoing commercial enterprise.

“The defendant had nothing to say in the first interview, but admits it was his property.

“He is 55 years old and is of previous good character and even though we don’t place him into a leading role in the production, it’s a significant role, and the amount that could be produced from this set-up would provide some significant financial reward.”

Defending Balnys, Peter Cruickshank told the court there was no way the prosecution could prove the plants belonged to his client.

He said: “He was in Lithuania for a period of time between 2019 and 2020, and let a friend of his stay at his house while he was away.

“And it’s when he’s returned that he’s become aware of the cannabis grow in his property.

“He’s been out of the country during this period, and it was during the pandemic when travel was less straightforward.

“He said he was threatened by the person who had been staying at his house when he returned and found the crops.

“He was told that if he moved the plants he would be targeted and attacked.”

Mr Cruickshank said his client, who had since moved from the property, had been in the UK for 15 years, was of previous good character and this was his first conviction.

Sentencing Balyns to seven and a half months in prison, Recorder Paul Reid said: “It may well be there were others involved in this who pressured you to allow your house to be used, however it was a significant venture, but I do find you had a lesser role.”