A man who grew cannabis plants at his house and bypassed electric to grow the illegal plants has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Burnley Crown Court heard on Monday how when police attended the former home of Robin Leigh in Berry Street, Burnley, on March 13, 2021, they found 58 cannabis plants.

The court was told how defendant, 48, of Grosvenor Street, Radcliffe, Bury, was present at his former address at the time and in the upstairs bedroom police found a cannabis grow with a tent up in the room.

From analysis, there were 55 large plants and three smaller plants with a capable yield of 2.2kg of cannabis.

If sold in street deals, the cannabis would be a value of £22,000 if sold.

District Judge Richard Clews said 2.2kg of cannabis was a ‘significant quantity’.

At the property, police found drugs and drug paraphernalia including a large ducting pipe and a tent with several fans, extractors and overhead lighting, a water system was also in place and the electricity was bypassed.

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker, said Leigh has 16 previous convictions for a number of offences.

Mr Parker said in 2014, Leigh had a previous conviction for the production of cannabis, which was a small operation, and he was given a fine of £110.

Mitigating for Leigh, Rachael Faux said he wasn’t growing the cannabis for a financial gain and it was for his own use.

However, Judge Clews said he didn't believe this excuse, "as time and money had gone into it which suggests far more than personal use".

Judge Clews said this claim was an "absurd" suggestion.

Ms Faux said since March 2021, Leigh has made significant changes to his life, and he has turned his life around.

She said: "He wants to put something back into the community and he works hard, and an immediate sentencing would have an impact on the defendant's father who is in frail health."

Ms Faux said the defendant had no financial gain, the growth was in the very early stages, and he has prospects of rehabilitation.

She also said there was no evidence of dealing on the defendants mobile and two years on he is in an entirely different position now.

Sentencing Leigh, Judge Clews said ‘it was a serious matter’ and the set-up at the property showed there was ‘sophistication’.

Judge Clews sentenced Robin Leigh to a total of 14 months imprisonment suspended for two years, with 100 hours of unpaid work and a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

A destruction and forfeiture order was made amounting to £1,450 seized for cash and drugs paraphernalia.

Judge Clews said: “You knew exactly what you were doing. Even after two years have passed if you offend in this way in the future, you can expect to go to prison.”