A DAD has been found guilty of growing almost 200 cannabis plants in an industrial unit near Leominster but the jury could not reach a verdict regarding his son.

Gary Mumford, 57, and his 33-year-old son, Graham, were on trial last week at Hereford Crown Court accused of producing cannabis in Hatfield near Leominster.

The jury found Mumford senior guilty and he will be sentenced in July.

But the jury failed to agree a verdict for Mumford junior. If there is a re-trial it will be held in January next year.

The court heard that police officers raided the industrial unit last September and discovered 193 cannabis plants.

Mumford senior started renting the unit last May and told the landlord he was going to use it to store items for his Airsoft BB guns business and that it would also be used by Steven Darnley, a friend of his son’s, who would use it for his electrician business.

The court heard Darnley, who had a criminal history, had already pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and will also be sentenced in July.

Mumford senior of The Fulhams, Sutton, Tenbury Wells had told the court he did not know about the cannabis plants as the unit was separated into sections and Darnley’s area was locked- he thought he used it for storing electrical equipment.

But the prosecution questioned how Mumford senior would not be able to smell the cannabis or hear the hum of electricity needed to grow the plants.

The court also heard Mumford senior allowed Darnley to live at his house free of charge and also use the unit free of charge.

Mumford senior said he suspected that Darnley was doing something illegal at the unit last July and confronted him. But he said Darnley threatened him and he did not tell the police but told Darnley he would have to leave his home and unit by the end of September.

Mumford junior’s fingerprints were found on two of the growing trays used for cannabis production but he told police he did not know why his fingerprints were found there.

Mumford junior of Worcester Road, Hagley said he must have touched the trays before they were used for cannabis and said he rarely went to the unit.