Dad’s weed grow ‘to fund son’s treatment’ – Kent Online

A father claimed he began growing cannabis in the loft of his home to pay for medical treatment for his son.

But a judge heard none of the money was ever used to pay for a scan.

Now supermarket delivery driver Kieron Harris, 31, has been jailed for 18 months after he was caught growing 36 plants which could have netted him up to 45,000.

In the dock with him at Maidstone Crown Court was ex-partner Charlotte Harris, 28, who has now changed her last name to Brown.

She had admitted allowing her home to be used for the production of the illegal drug and the court heard the power bills were 10 times the normal for the three months.

The judge, Recorder Clive Broe told Harris: "Drug offences are not victimless crimes. They cause harm to those who abuse drugs and lead to other criminality and to society."

He said that other families face difficulties in raising money for medical treatment without resorting to crime.

The judge said the marriage has broken down since the arrests.

Harris of North Trench Road, Tonbridge, was jailed for 18 months after admitting producing cannabis and possessing criminal property.

Brown, 28, of Bricks Close, Tonbridge, received a 12-month community order and was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

The judge told her: "You were a willing participant in this but I accept you have had mental health problems."

Prosecutor Ben Irwin said that on June 12, 2020, police stopped a vehicle, driven by Harris, because of a faulty headlight.

He said: "The officers were immediately overwhelmed by the smell of cannabis. The officers asked what was in the car and Harris replied: 'A bit of weed'.

"The vehicle was searched and 21 grams of cannabis were found along with loads of black sacks in the back of the car

"Mr Harris denied the cannabis was his and the car was further searched and in a drawer in the footwell was 2,230 in cash in 10 and 20 notes."

Mr Irwin said when the police told him they now intended to search his home he looked: "Shocked and nervous" before admitting he was growing cannabis there.

He added: "This was a commercial growth albeit on a limited scale. There was also a significant spike in electricity usage and by March 2020 there had been a tenfold increase."

Samantha Davies, for Harris said: "This was driven by a desire to privately fund his son's medical treatment... although that is not to provide an excuse.

"But this is not a case of a professional criminal."

Eleanor Lucas, for Brown, said she had not helped with the setting up in the loft and had not benefited financially."

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Dad's weed grow 'to fund son's treatment' - Kent Online