Builder threatened by machete-wielding raiders to keep working at £100,800 Wellington cannabis farm

The 53-year-old defendant appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentence today, after previously admitting one count of being concerned in the production of a class B drug.

Simon Parry, prosecuting, explained that Korsaks had been discovered at the house with around 120 cannabis plants.

The court was told that the potential crop amounted to up to 10kg, and could be worth £100,800 on the street.

Mr Parry said the walls in the property had been lined for the purposes of growing the drugs, the windows had been blacked out, and the electricity had been bypassed.

In an interview with police Korsaks, from Latvia but recently of Benfleet, Essex, said that a contact named 'Ray', who he knew from the building trade, had "offered him the chance to grow cannabis for extra cash".

The pair set up the factory with the plan to split the proceeds of the drugs with 'Ray' responsible for the onward sale.

Mr Parry said the first crop had been harvested in 2020, with Korsaks receiving £1,500.

A second crop in 2021 resulted in him receiving £3,000.

The court heard it was followed by a third crop at which point Korsaks had decided he no longer wanted to be involved.

Then in January last year Korsaks was burgled by a group of masked men with machetes who told him "he should continue with the growing operation".

Sentencing, Judge Recorder Julian Taylor said: "At 53 years of age you have got yourself mixed up in a serious matter, from which you did make some gain financially."

Recorder Taylor said that Korsaks had been part of the operation 'voluntarily' initially, but was "threatened by others to continue".

Korsaks was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years.

As part of the sentence he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Korsaks was also ordered to pay £500 costs.