Man started cannabis farm in loft over his nieces' heads 'because it was cheaper than a dealer'

Gurdita Singh, aged 52, kitted out the loft of the house in Pool Farm Road, Birmingham, to grow his own cannabis because he was struggling to pay dealers, a court heard.

But it was rumbled earlier this year when neighbours called the police to report people loading plants into a van outside the property.

Prosecutor Katie Price said the van and plants had gone by the time police arrived on October 19, but officers found paraphernalia and equipment which made clear the attic space had been converted into a cannabis grow. He told officers there had been six plants in total and he had grown them for his own use.

Telford Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday (December 10) that Singh lived in Regent Street, Wellington, but owned the property in Birmingham and kept a key for it. His nieces were living there at the time the cannabis grow was running, the court heard.