POT FARM HELPS TO EASE HER SUFFERING

A son cultivated a cannabis farm to help ease his mum's
ailments.

Michael Huntley, himself a user of cannabis, thought the drug could
bring his mother some relief.

And so he set up his own "farm" to make sure he had a ready supply to
give her, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

But the 42-year-old was caught by chance when police hunting a burglar
smelled the pungent aroma coming from his home in Hazelwood Avenue,
Jesmond, Newcastle.

By then he had 40 plants, potentially worth more UKP4,000, growing in a
room fitted with a watering system, the court heard.

Huntley, admitted possessing, supplying and cultivating
cannabis.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Wilkie said the offences would normally
be punished by immediate imprisonment.

But instead suspending a nine-month jail term, he said: "You were in
an extra ordinary situation.

"You are, in effect, the sole carer for your mother and for whom pain
relief you attempted to achieve by cultivating cannabis and
administering it to her."

Justice Wilkie said he had been "impressed" by references on Huntley's
behalf and the care he gave to his mother.

"It is those circumstances which persuade me the sentence of
imprisonment I must pass should be suspended," he added.

Huntley was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid
work.

Officers seized the plants from an upstairs bedroom after noticing a
powerful smell.

They raided the property, at 1am.

Heat-lamps, a special watering device and scales were also
found.

At the time a Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Officers patrolling
in the area for an unrelated incident became aware of a particular
smell.

"On entering the house they found cannabis plants.

"They had equipment set up in a bedroom upstairs with a watering and
lighting system.

"The plants were seized and removed."