Caravan cannabis man given community order

THE owner of a cannabis growing operation set up in a static caravan on a ramshackle farm in Wisbech St Mary smoked up to 15 joints a day to stave off depression and panic attacks. David Shears -- who had already admitted growing the class C drug on his s

THE owner of a cannabis growing operation set up in a static caravan on a ramshackle farm in Wisbech St Mary smoked up to 15 joints a day to stave off depression and panic attacks.

David Shears -- who had already admitted growing the class C drug on his smallholding -- was back in court this week, when he was sentenced to an 18-month community order.

During the order, 43-year-old Shears will be supervised by a probation officer.

Fenland magistrates also ordered the forfeiture of the plants, growing equipment and herbal cannabis seized by the police, and told Shears to pay £95 costs.

On Tuesday, prosecutor David Myles told how lighting and heating were installed in the holiday home, and 60 plants were being grown when police raided Cheyney Farm at Wisbech St Mary in November.

David Shears occupied the smallholding, and told police: "I will be honest, I have been growing cannabis in the caravan for my own personal use."

He admitted growing the class C drug "on and off" for 15 years, helping to provide pain relief for his late wife and then using it to reduce his own depression.

He had no intention of selling the drug, and the police found no evidence of dealing.

Shears had admitted producing cannabis between July 19 and November 23 last year, and possessing the drug on November 22.

"There were a number of plants at different stages of growth," said Roger Glazebrook, mitigating.

"There was no degree of sophistication, all he had was one light and one fan, there was no hydroponics system."

Shears is now off cannabis, he added.