CANNABIS GROWER WHO PAID INCOME TAX ON HIS DRUG-SALE EARNINGS JAILED

CANNABIS grower Eric Laycock made so much money selling drugs he declared
his income to the tax man.

Laycock's wife Felicia, who works for the Citizens Advice Bureau in
Cardigan, made sure he completed his Inland Revenue return promptly.

Laycock claimed to be growing "flowers," which was true - almost
half-a-million-pounds' worth. Except they were illegal.

"No doubt he was using the self-assessment system," said Judge John Diehl.

"One wonders what would have happened had the Inland Revenue carried out a
spot check."

Laycock's barrister pleaded for mercy partly because his client had paid
tax on his UKP 1,000-a-week profit.

But Judge Diehl jailed him for four-and-a-half years after hearing how he
ran his cannabis operation for five years before the police called.

As business boomed Laycock, 53, paid UKP 11,000 for an 80ft-long barn to
increase production.

He fitted special lighting, fans and air filters.

Police found more than 500 plants in various stages of growth and a further
140 plant heads drying out ready for harvesting.

They also found UKP 4,500 in cash and an ice cream tub full of cannabis.

Catherine Richards, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court the crop under
production had a street value of almost UKP 250,000.

Laycock confessed to buying cannabis from a Manchester dealer and then
turning into a producer when he ran into financial difficulties.

In his first year he made only UKP 13,000 but rapidly increased production
at his small holding at Gwn in the village of Bridell, near Cardigan.

Meanwhile, his 50-year-old wife continued to help run the Cardigan branch
of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Miss Richards detailed "an organised and sophisticated operation" which
dated back to 1998.

Felicia Laycock's involvement, she said, was confined to using the proceeds
of drug trafficking.

She later said she had her "suspicions" about what was growing in the barn.

Laycock, a grandfather, admitted the production of cannabis, actual supply
and simple possession.

Felicia Laycock admitted using the proceeds.

Barrister Paul Hobson, who represented the two, said drug dealing became
Laycock's main source of income although his initial involvement was
because of illness.

"He genuinely believed in the healing properties of cannabis," he said.

Judge Diehl pointed out that this "was not simply the production of
cannabis for his own use."

Felicia Laycock was ordered to carry out a 120-hour community punishment order.

Judge Diehl used new powers to seize the proceeds of the Laycocks' criminal
activities.

He ruled that Eric Laycock had made UKP 148,412 but had realisable assets
of only UKP 111,449.

He ordered Laycock to pay UKP 111,449 within nine months or serve an extra
two years and three months in jail.

The court was told that the Laycocks might have to sell their home to pay
the orders.

Judge Diehl told Eric Laycock, "It is clear that your were running a
well-organised and sophisticated operation.

"This was a well-ordered cannabis farm.

"It is with some surprise that I learn you declared your income to the
Inland Revenue and paid tax."