Staff at Bolton at Home discovered a cannabis farm while looking for a leak at home.

The discovery was made on Toronto Street, Breightmet, while they entered the home of Daniel Myers.

Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court heard 26 cannabis plants were found.

Stephanie Varle, prosecuting, said: “A worker had described there being a cannabis farm within the property.

“They had been sent there to do an emergency repair.

“There were 26 plants.

“There was something of a set up around them.

“The electricity had been by passed.

“There have already been repayments in respect of that.”

Myers, 24 and from Toronto Street, Breightmet, Bolton, appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting bypassing electricity and producing cannabis in May last year.

Mel Winstanley, defending, said: “This is a young man of 24 with no previous convictions.

“He was asked to put it there by others.

“He had no involvement.

“He has work with a building firm.”

Chair of the bench Paul Patterson told Myers to stay away from the people who had told him to put the cannabis there.

He said: “The first thing I am going to say to you is you are an extremely lucky young man that you are not going out through that door (to prison) and that is because of what other people have said on your behalf.

“The people who made you this this, they are not here now, they are not paying for the electricity, you are, they are not paying the costs.

“Put this behind you and keep away from them.”

He imposed a community order to last for a year and ordered him to do 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Myers was also ordered to pay costs of £180 at a rate of £5 per week to the court.