A MOTHER-of-four found out how to grow cannabis on the internet – and was surprised at how good she was at it, developing a crop worth more than £15,000, Worcester Crown Court heard.
Debbie Littlewood, 29, grew 14 mature and 26 young plants in an extension to the home she shared with her husband and children, aged between six and 15, in Pritchard Close, Tedstone Wafre, near Tenbury.
Her disabled husband, Michael Littlewood, 45, knew about it and smoked the cannabis with her but did not get involved in the operation.
Debbie Littlewood admitted producing the crop and possessing cannabis with intent to supply it, although she said the drug was mainly for the use of her and her husband and she sold some only to friends in her circle.
Judge Toby Hooper QC gave her an eight month jail sentence suspended for 18 months and she was put under a curfew from 8pm until 7am for four months.
Her husband, who admitted permitting premises to be used for the production of the drug and possessing cannabis resin, was given a 12-month conditional discharge.
Michael Conry, prosecuting, said police raided the couple’s home on August 2 last year and found 14 mature cannabis plants, with a street value of £6,300, and a total of 26 young plants, worth £9,000.
Officers also recovered £1,500 in cash in a safe and equipment for growing the drug, along with some harvested cannabis skunk worth £294 and resin valued at £95.
Mr Conry said Debbie Littlewood “shouldered the blame” for the operation and her husband of five years said he was not involved in the production, although he knew about it.
Mark Thompson, representing her, said: “She learned how to do this off the internet and did not expect to be quite as proficient at it as she was.
“She didn’t expect it would grow as it did.”
He added the growing was done in an extension away from the children, whose mother was a “respectable, polite lady” with no previous convictions, who also voluntarily looked after an elderly man living near her.
Mr Thompson said that, while it was not grown for commercial financial gain, it still made some money from selling to friends who visited the couple’s home.
Jason Patel, for Michael Littlewood, said his client suffered from ailments including diabetes, liver problems and depression and the cannabis helped him to cope.
But Judge Hooper said it was “very stupid” to get involved with cannabis, which added to depression.