65-year-old drug-offender jailed after police discovered cannabis plants at his Sheffield home

Sheffield Crown Court heard on August 3 how Pal Lleshi, aged 65, of Staniforth Road, between Attercliffe and Darnall, Sheffield, admitted producing cannabis at the property where he was living.

Beverly Wright, prosecuting, said: “Police executed a search warrant at Staniforth Road - a mid terrace house in Sheffield.

“The defendant was inside at the time and it was clear he was living there.

“Police found two bedrooms in the loft area of the premises dedicated to growing cannabis and associated equipment, lights and transformers and 132 cannabis plants.”

Ms Wright added that just over 100 infant cannabis plants were also found elsewhere at the property.

Lleshi, who has no previous convictions in the UK, pleaded guilty to producing the class B drug after the raid on July 2.

Clarkson Baptiste, defending, said Lleshi had come to the UK legally to work mainly in the construction industry but he lost his employment due to the coronavirus lockdown and he was offered an opportunity to participate in this cannabis grow.

Mr Baptiste added: “You would hope a person of his age would have better sense. He deeply regrets his actions.”

Lleshi has a dual Albanian and Italian national status, according to Mr Baptiste, and he could return to Italy and start his life again once his sentence is complete.

Judge Rachael Harrison told Lleshi: "You involved yourself in the cultivation of cannabis and you did so for financial benefit.”

She added: “In my judgment, there are elements of a significant role because you were in the house, because you must have had some awareness and understanding of the scale of the operation, and you were operating for financial gain.

“But I accept you had a limited function and you would have had no influence on those above you in the chain.”

Judge Harrison sentenced Lleshi to 16-months of custody.