Police discovered a cannabis crop in the garage of a Milnsbridge house after complaints about the smell.

Leeds Crown Court heard today that officers went to the address in Britannia Road on the evening of October 10 and the door was answered by Joseph May.

He accepted owning the garage and when it was searched a plastic tent was found inside fitted with growing lamps and other equipment.

Tony Kelbrick, prosecuting, said 32 cannabis plants had been harvested and were hanging up to be dried while two boxes already had some dried cannabis leaves inside.

Two other men, Daniel McDonagh and Patrick Kiernan were in the tent at the time and inquiries revealed the electricity meter in the house had been by-passed to supply the grow which was estimated to be worth £3,395.

When questioned May said he was in financial difficulties when a friend told him he could make some money lending property for the growing of cannabis.

He had then allowed a man to set up the cultivation in the garage and was then offered more money if he dried the plants for him. He was expecting to receive about £1,000.

At that time McDonagh denied any knowledge of the cannabis and claimed he had gone to the property to buy a wood burning stove and Kiernan said he was asked by May to help harvest the plants.

Robin Frieze, representing May, said he was of previous good character but he knew the cannabis would be sold on by others.

May, 27, admitted producing cannabis and possessing the drug and was given an 18 month prison sentence suspended for two years with 250 hours unpaid work.

McDonagh, 31 of West Royd Avenue, Windhill, Shipley, admitted production and was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years with 180 hours unpaid work and Kiernan, 20 of Bolton Lane, Bradford was given a 12 month community order with 30 days activity and 100 hours unpaid work.

Judge James Spencer QC said it was serious criminal activity but the prosecution accepted they were not the initiators of the enterprise “although you May were a keen participant and rightly described as having a significant role in it.”

Take a look at our picture gallery of cannabis farms uncovered in Huddersfield below.