"I am sorry" cannabis grower tells court after £100,000 haul is discovered at Preston house

Mark Anthony Robinson, of Kent Street, Preston, was arrested after police raided his address as a result of images from the force helicopter, Preston Magistrates’ Court heard.

Officers found more than 100 plants, which are estimated to have a street value of around £44,400.

Inside other rooms in the address they also found bags of cannabis from a previous production thought to be worth £60,570.

The 41-year-old defendant entered guilty pleas to producing a class B drug, and dishonestly diverting the electricity supply.

Both offences were over a period between September 1 and January 27, the bench was told.

Prosecuting, Martine Connah said: “ This is an incident where police have attended the address with a misuse of drug warrant, due to images taken by the police air service which showed a significant heat source coming from within the premises.

She added: “There were 111 plants at an advance stage of growth, and a large amount of cannabis bush in sealed bags.

“The electricity supply had been tampered with.

“A total of 6165.3 grams of cannabis was seized.

“It is clearly significant.”

The court was told Robinson made admissions in his second police interview after tests showed the value of the potential yield.

Ms Connah added: “He said the drugs were to be sold by him from a previous production he had done, and he was doing it to pay off a debt.”

Defending, Michael Leech said he accepted the case was not suitable to be dealt with before the magistrates’ court and asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared for Robinson’s committal to the higher court.

He was warned he could face at least four years in custody.

The chairman of the bench granted conditional bail in the meantime, and told Robinson he would have to appear before Preston Crown Court on June 4 for sentencing.

The defendant replied: “Thank you - and I am sorry.”