Barber caught in £50K South Yorkshire drug farm

Gledison Muca was linked to an address on Fitzwilliam Street, in February, where officers found 140 plants in two bedrooms and the attic, said prosecutor Stephanie Hollis.

He told police he arrived the Republic of Ireland legitimately, six months ago, then entered the UK on a promise of haridressing work.

"He said he had been put under pressure to grow the plants," said Ms Hollis, adding that Muca entered the UK illegally and was "motivated by financial advantage."

Andrew Bailey, mitigating, said: "He was lured by the offer of a legitimate job. When he was in a vulnerable position the material was brought in.

“He was vulnerable to exploitation and threats were made. He accepts he should have left and gone back to the Republic of Ireland.”

He told Sheffield Crown Court that Muca was found with £500, which was given to him at the end of a contract he brought to an end.

"He was not a significant player in the operation,” Mr Bailey added. “He wants to return to Albania as soon as he is able to."

Muca, 28, currently of HMP Doncaster, pleaded guilty to cannabis production.

Judge Peter Kelson QC said Muca involved himself in a "very sophisticated cannabis growing enterprise" in which the electricity supply had been bypassed.

On Thursday, he sentenced him to 32 months in prison and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and paraphernalia.