South Yorkshire man found by police with estimated £25,380 worth of cannabis plants at flat

Police discovered an estimated £25,380 worth of cannabis plants at a man’s flat after a workman had become suspicious about electrical wiring at the property.
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Prosecuting barrister Hannah Walker told a Sheffield Crown Court hearing yesterday, August 3, that the workman alerted police because he was concerned about the positioning of cables and officers raided the home of Steven Beech, on Town Lane, Rotherham.

Ms Walker said officers found a “fairly significant cannabis grow” with 73 plants in various stages of maturity and a police expert valued the grow at an estimated £25,380.

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Beech, aged 28, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis after the raid in March, 2019.

Pictured, courtesy of Pixabay, is an example of cannabis plants similar to thsoe found by police at flat on Town Lane, Rotherham.Pictured, courtesy of Pixabay, is an example of cannabis plants similar to thsoe found by police at flat on Town Lane, Rotherham.
Pictured, courtesy of Pixabay, is an example of cannabis plants similar to thsoe found by police at flat on Town Lane, Rotherham.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC confirmed there had been an abstraction of electricity to deceive the power company but Beech was not charged with this offence.

Beech admitted a separate matter of intimidation concerning his ex-partner from February. Ms Walker said Beech had visited his ex-partner to try and stop her giving evidence against him concerning another case for which he was convicted of causing damage at her home.

Judge Richardson acknowledged Beech has alcohol problems and that he says he has mental health problems.

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Bianca Brasoveanu, defending, said Beech did not provide details about whoever else was involved in the cannabis production because she claimed Beech’s involvement had been a limited one and he had been acting under something “just short of duress”.

Judge Richardson adjourned the hearing until August 5 due to a breakdown in communication via Ms Brasoveanu’s remote video link into court and to consider mitigation before sentencing.