Magistrates decline jurisdiction over case that alleges a Wisbech man produced cannabis with �25k street value

A MAN accused of growing cannabis with a potential street value of more than �25,000 is to face trial at Crown Court.

Stuart Howlett, 33, of Bath Road, Wisbech, is alleged to have grown the class B drug in Wisbech on October 10 last year. He is also accused dishonestly using a quantity of electricity.

Fenland magistrates declined jurisdiction over the case, after Howlett chose not to enter pleas. He was given unconditional bail until a committal hearing on March 12.

At an earlier hearing at Fenland Magistrates’ Court, Howlett had admitted assaulting a woman on October 26 last year.

After reading a report from the probation service, the court gave Howlett a three-month suspended jail sentence, and he was ordered to attend a domestic abuse course.

The magistrates put a restraining order on Howlett, forbidding him to contact his victim for two years. He must pay �85 costs.