Police catch 'Gardner' growing cannabis in loft

A HOUSEHOLDER who wanted to live the "high" life set up a cannabis farm in his loft.

The aptly named Jason Gardner grew the dope for his own use because he felt he was above associating with drug dealers.

But he was caught when police passed his house and noticed the strong smell of cannabis drifting down from the roof. They searched the building and found a fully equipped cannabis-growing set-up underneath the rafters.

Gardner, 23, of Whitburn, West Lothian, admitted producing the Class B drug at his home in Manse Avenue on May 26 last year.

John Barclay, prosecuting, told Livingston Sheriff Court police found 18 mature plants and 14 younger plants with an estimated total value of 4500.

Sheriff Douglas Kinloch examined photographs of the cannabis farm before sentencing Gardner to carry out 300 hours of unpaid community service work.