A father who started growing cannabis to sell to other drug users has been given a suspended eight-month prison term.
Police officers found a “small scale cannabis farm” in Anthony Burbridge’s Rastrick home last September when they executed a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Prosecutor Heather Gilmore told Bradford Crown Court that during the search of the property in Malham Road officers found a growing tent in a rear bedroom.
Officers seized six immature cannabis plants and also recovered a quantity of dried cannabis together with nearly 50 grammes of amphetamine.
Mrs Gilmore said the cannabis plants could have yielded about 270 grammes with a street value of just over £2,300 and a mobile phone seized during the raid was found to contain messages relating to the sale of the drug.
Burbridge, 46, pleaded guilty to offences of producing cannabis, possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing amphetamine.
His barrister Jayne Beckett said he had been trying to make ends meet and was having financial problems at the time.
Judge Peter Benson said the police visits had uncovered a small scale cannabis farm and cropped cannabis ready for sale.
“You pleaded guilty on the basis that at a time when you were in straightened financial circumstances, your benefits having been stopped, you began to sell small quantities of cannabis to fellow users of about your age,” said Judge Benson.
“On the other hand I agree wholeheartedly with the probation officer who points out that at the same time you were struggling you were managing to use illicit substances on a regular basis and making matters worse for yourself.”
The judge said he had taken account of Burbridge’s reduced consumption of cannabis and amphetamine in deciding to suspend his prison term for two years.
