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Ex-director guilty in cannabis farm case
Tuesday 17th January 2012, 10:59AM GMT.
Stephen Rodenhurst
A former Shropshire businessman has been convicted of running a cannabis farm at an Edwardian mansion in a venture that could have produced up to £150,000 of drugs a year.
Almost 600 plants were found at the property close to the Shropshire/Staffordshire border almost two years ago.
Stephen Perce Rodenhurst had denied growing the cannabis to sell, claiming it was for personal use because of illness.
Yesterday at Wolverhampton Crown Court a jury found him guilty after a five-day trial of possessing the drug with intent to supply.
Judge Martin Walsh adjourned sentence on Rodenhurst, 58, formerly of Cooks Cross, Alveley, near Bridgnorth, until next month for reports.
The court heard that Rodenhurst, a former director of a demolition company, lived alone at Green Hills, Stafford Lane, Codsall, which he had rented for the past eight years.
Mr David Swynerton, prosecuting, said when police raided the mansion in February, 2010, they found a ‘sophisticated’ operation, which he said was a ‘high value commercial venture’.
Officers found the TV on, a log fire burning, lights on and food in the oven, but Rodenhurst was not there.
Dozens of cannabis plants in various stages of production were found in garages, a shed and the cellar and almost 200 plants were found drying.
Mr Swynerton said the harvested material had an estimated street value of £34,000 and plants in mid-production could have realised almost £50,000.
He added the hydroponic system could have yielded up to three crops a year.
Rodenhurst said he had left to catch a ferry that day.
He claimed the drug was for used for pain relief once or twice a week, but experts suggested it would take an average user six and 19 years to get through the potential crop.
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