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Cannabis Factory Kit Sold At Police Auction
A DRUG user created his own cannabis-growing factory using equipment bought from police.
Andrew Robinson | Yorkshire Post | 05/12/2005

Mark Batty set up a cannabis factory with equipment that had been snapped up at a public auction held by the West Yorkshire force.

The 32-year-old's home in Westminster Croft, Rodley, Leeds, was raided in February this year by officers who found 85 cannabis plants along with equipment used to grow the drug in his loft and a downstairs front room.

Batty's solicitor, Anthony Sugare, told Leeds Magistrates' Court that the episode was an embarrassment for the force.

He said: "In this day and age, when the police take a good deal of time and trouble to publicise their success in capturing drug dealers and those who use drugs, it may well be that this is an example of something where it can well be said that they have egg on their face.

"The equipment came as a result of an auction sale conducted by the police... even to the point that it still has on it the labels 'West Yorkshire Police Force'."

Mr Sugare added: "That doesn't in any way remove the responsibility from the defendant for producing this cannabis but it does seem a rather strange set of circumstances.

"If the police hadn't put this up for auction, the defendant wouldn't have had the means to produce the cannabis that he did."

The court heard that Batty, now living in Belle Isle, Leeds, was arrested after the raid and questioned at Pudsey Police Station.

He admitted growing the cannabis but maintained it was for his own personal use as the drug helped alleviate a medical complaint.

Mr Sugare said his client suffered from stomach problems which could be caused by Crohn's disease.

Mr Sugare told the court: "He doesn't hide from the fact that he is a regular cannabis taker because he feels it alleviates his medical condition."

Batty, who is unemployed and receives incapacity benefit, was originally charged with producing cannabis and production with intent to supply. The supply charge was later dropped.

The court heard he had convictions for drug-related offences in the past.

Batty was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and ordered to pay £40 prosecution costs. An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drug-making equipment found at his house.

Last night a spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Items such as lights are commonly available household items. Anyone who chooses to use them for illegal purposes will suffer the consequences, as this case demonstrates."

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Cassius

Oh yes, big honkin' 400+ watt lamps are commonly found in most households... *cough*

A big LOL on this one,

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{ Cassius, Your Humble Narrator }
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QuestionMark

suffering the consequences for growing a plant inside that anyone should be able to grow for free outside... the irony... I hate stupid ppl...

cb007sax

Last night a spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Items such as lights are commonly available household items. Anyone who chooses to use them for illegal purposes will suffer the consequences, as this case demonstrates."

LOL, 400 WATT BULBS ARE COMMONLY AVAILABLE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA HAHAHA, LEMME RUN TO WALMART.

Aaah what's wrong West Yorkshire, you ****ed up and now state that you are perfect. Please, I know that we are violent criminals for smoking Marijuana, but at LEAST give us more credit than that!

Twich

wait a second! none of you guys use a 400watt HPS with some growing company label on the side to light your dinner table? i see those ALL the time, probly more common then incandesent bulbs.

 

Higher Logic

"If the police hadn't put this up for auction, the defendant wouldn't have had the means to produce the cannabis that he did."

He could have gone to any horticulture store.

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