A COUPLE set up a family business in their Rastrick home – cultivating cannabis.
Now the husband and wife drugs pair have been given home curfews after police discovered a sophisticated cannabis growing operation.
Officers executed a search warrant at the home of Paul and Jennifer Wormald last December and discovered a total of 26 cannabis plants being grown in two bedrooms of the property in Oaklands.
Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that officers also found 17 dealer bags containing small amounts of the Class B drug in a locked safe in the kitchen.
Paul Wormald, 47, admitted a charge of producing the cannabis on the basis that he was under pressure to grow the plants because of a drugs debt.
His 51-year-old partner admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Her barrister Ken Green said she pleaded guilty on the basis that she had been looking after the cannabis in the safe for her partner and effectively rationing his use of it.
Mr Green said visitors to the house would also buy cannabis from the stock in the safe.
Prosecutor Abigail Langford said the cannabis plants being grown at the property could have produced more than a kilo of cannabis worth about £8,000.
Judge Peter Benson said the police raid had uncovered a sophisticated hydroponic cultivation system at the couple’s home.
“You, Paul Wormald, pleaded guilty to the production of this crop of cannabis on the basis that you were under pressure because of a drugs debt and that you were growing it on behalf of drug dealers and you would supply the crop to them,” said Judge Benson.
“You’re both unsuitable for unpaid work. You, Paul Wormald, because of the commitments of running the family business, a small cafe, and you, Jennifer Wormald, because of health difficulties.”
The judge imposed 12-month community orders on both defendants and they will each have their curfews electronically monitored.
The curfews will run from 7pm to 6am each night.
Paul Wormald’s will last for the next six months and his partner’s will be for four months.
