Cannabis Home-Grower Sentenced For "Sophisticated Personal Cultivation"

A heavy cannabis user, who had a large-scale home-grow operation hidden behind the overgown garden of his suburban address, received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Spencer Mays, 43, pleaded guilty to producing the class B drug at the property in Macclesfield Road, South Norwood (pictured) on February 4.

Since the raid Mays has moved to his mother's home in Tuckers Meadow, Wiveliscombe, Taunton and claims he has quit his heavy cannabis use and is committed to a new career as a HGV driver.

He was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, pay a £2,000 fine and £350 costs.

His lawyer told Croydon Crown Court: “Since quitting cannabis he's never felt more confident.”

Mays also has a conviction involving class A drugs at the same court.

Judge John Tanzer said: “This was a really sophisticated personal cultivation and the prosecution had to be persuaded from having a trial that it was commercial.

“You have a rocky past, but you are now near middle-age and have settled down and got a job and home.

“To put you into custody would benefit nobody, but your offending, with your background, does cross the custody threshold.”

Regarding the large fine Judge Tanzer added: “It hits you were it hurts. That is my aim and it was your aim to save money. That's why you grew it.”