Police attended a call of concern for welfare for a man and discovered a cannabis farm instead at an address in Kearsley, a court has heard.

Paul Atack was not in attendance at the address on Crescent Road at the time in January 2022 but was arrested a couple of days afterwards.

On Friday (April 14), Bolton Crown Court heard how the the cannabis farm of some 14 cannabis plants was in a room with equipment including filtration, insulation and lighting. The electricity was bypassed.

Judge Tom Gilbart said the potential yield was between 450g and 1125g and therefore its potential value was between £4500 and £11250.

Atack was charged with allowing the address to be used for the production of cannabis, rather than with the production of cannabis itself, after he said he had no knowledge of the cannabis plants at interview.

He admitted this charge to magistrates last year at around the same time as he admitted a separate charge of a breach of a non-molestation order.

For the charge of a breach of the non-molestation order, one of the latest in a long line of convictions for 'a large number of offences', Atack received a suspended sentence of 12 weeks in prison last year.

Judge Gilbart said in light of his compliance with this suspended sentence, and in light of mitigation including issues with his mental health, another suspended sentence was 'the fairest course of action'.

Judge Gilbart said: "Clearly, the matter crosses the custodial threshold. 

"But given the progress you've made I'm satisfied there's a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. 

"The fairest course of action is for you to be able to continue this progress in the community.

"It's me who gave you this opportunity. If you don't take this opportunity, the likelihood is you'll be taken into custody, do you understand?"

Atack, of Crescent Road, received a suspended sentence of 14 weeks in prison.

Judge Gilbart ordered the destruction of the cannabis plants and the equipment.


This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.