Pair sentenced over drugs haul

Police uncovered a secret cannabis factory and drugs with a street value of more than £11,000 when they raided two neighbouring homes in a Shropshire village, a court has heard.

Officers saw Josie Wilks, 24, cutting up cannabis plants on a coffee table as they approached one of the properties in Alveley, near Bridgnorth, in June this year, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Bin liners full of the drug were found around the house and Wilks produced a key to the home next door, where officers found cannabis-growing equipment and more plants behind blacked out windows.

Wilks and Michael Anthony Vale, 49, both of the same address in Alveley, were given suspended prison sentences when they appeared at the court yesterday.

The pair had previously admitted producing a class B drug and possessing a class B drug.

Miss Clare Coley, prosecuting, said: "Officers executed a warrant at a home in Alveley, Bridgnorth, of June 15. On approaching the property they saw Josie Wilks inside, sitting at a table cutting up cannabis plants.

Responsibility

"Officers entered the premises and discovered cannabis all over the house in bin liners. Wilks was arrested and tried to claim responsibility for all of the cannabis. Vale came home later and was arrested, he too tried to claim responsibility."

The court heard police noticed a worn path to a property next door and noticed it had blacked out windows.

"Wilks produced a key and allowed them to go in. They discovered various equipment both upstairs and downstairs, plants at various stages, an eco-pod and lighting," added Miss Coley.

"In total we are looking at an estimated value of £11,700."

Mrs Joanne Griffiths, for the two defendants, said they decided to grow their own plants after Vale visited Amsterdam because they were both heavy users.

"Both of them have now significantly reduced their use of cannabis," she added.

Vale and Wilks were both sentenced to eight months in prison for the production offence and two months in prison, to run concurrently, for the possession of the drugs.

The sentences were suspended for 18 months.

By Rhea Parsons