A CANNABIS grower sub-let his friend’s flat to use as a production centre for the drug — just weeks after being given a suspended prison sentence for a similar offence.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Dean Jackson set up tents and hydroponic equipment in the flat in Longcauseway, Farnworth, but police found the operation in June last year while investigating reports that the premises had been broken into.

Juliet Berry, prosecuting, told the court how in one tent there were 16 plants growing, equipment and pots were stored in a second tent and almost 2kg of cannabis plant material was drying out in a third tent.

Altogether the cannabis was valued at £29,820.

Jackson, aged 29, of Craig Road, Gorton, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Judge Graeme Smith was told that it was only in April last year that Jackson had been given a suspended prison sentence for producing 21 cannabis plants at his home.

Patrick Harris, defending Knight, said he had originally rented the flat after separating from his partner, but two months later they got back together.

Faced with still having to pay rent on the property he sub-let it to Jackson, initially unaware that it was to be used to produce the drug.

“In June he became aware that cannabis was being grown and, for a limited period of time, he turned a blind eye,” said Mr Harris.

Knight, aged 30, of Llangefni, Wales, pleaded guilty to allowing premises to be used for the production of cannabis.

Michael James, defending Jackson, said he had been under pressure to grow the plants in order to pay off drug debts.

Sentencing Jackson to 16 months in prison Judge Smith told him: “It was clearly an extensive and sophisticated operation.”

Knight was sentenced to do 120 hours unpaid work.

“I am satisfied that your criminality in this matter was of a totally different order,” Judge Smith told him.