Hi

Stan Miller

August 09, 2010

A 63-year-old man turned his garage into a sophisticated cannabis factory – and hid it from his wife.

William Bergin knocked down a wall in the detached building, insulated it with silver foil and installed lighting and ventilation.

But he was so secretive that even his wife didn’t know what he was up to, Manchester magistrates court heard.

Bergin’s cover was blown when thieves broke into the garage. A neighbour called the police who discovered the cannabis factory, described by a judge as ‘sophisticated and expensive - and highly effective’.

Bergin, of Ranford Road, Burnage, admitted cultivating cannabis and was given a suspended four-month jail sentence, 120 hours’ unpaid work and
85 prosecution costs.

Declan Doherty, defending, said Bergin smoked cannabis because it gave him comfort and relief from his severe eczema. But district judge Paul Richardson said: "For years people have been advancing medical reasons for growing cannabis but most of them don’t fill their garage with cannabis plants.

"This was a well thought-out system and what you did crosses the custody threshold."

Jennifer Baines, prosecuting, said police had recovered 50 plants. It was accepted the plants hadn’t been for commercial supply . Mr Doherty said Bergin disputed the number of plants. He claimed he was only feeding 18 and leaving the rest to die.

He said: "It began as an experiment and he didn't expect all the seeds to grow and his wife knew nothing about the farm.

"She is angry at the shame he has brought on the family and he is deeply embarrassed and upset."

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