AN unemployed man who tried to earn some money by growing cannabis in his cellar has been jailed for 18 months.

Richard Carter, who did not use drugs himself, recruited others to help him set up the well-organised cannabis factory at his home in Robinson Street, Huddersfield.

The 27-year-old’s illegal activity came to light when he was questioned by police about an unrelated matter and a search of his home uncovered the cannabis-growing operation.

Prosecutor Ewan McLachlan said when officers visited the house in May last year they found the cellar equipped with high-powered lighting, fans, transformers and ventilation ducting.

Carter was also said to have arranged for an electrician to tamper with the electricity supply.

The court heard that Carter’s first crop of six or seven plants failed, but by the time the police arrived a second crop of 16 plants were about six weeks away from flowering.

Mr McLachlan estimated that each plant could have produced about 40 grammes of cannabis.

Carter admitted a charge of producing cannabis and told officers frankly that he was desperate for money.

Mr McLachlan said: “He said he intended to sell the drug once the flowers had grown.”