A 25-YEAR-OLD man was jailed after admitting playing a part in producing cannabis.

Clive Preece, of Alexandra Avenue, Hereford, Brett Lawrence, 24, of Whitecross Road, Hereford, previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of cannabis and William Herbert, 32, of Wyedean Rise, Hereford, admitted allowing his premises to be used for the production of cannabis.

Prosecutor Stephen Jeary told Newport crown court police raided a barn at Herbert’s family farm, Gelli Farm, near Abergavenny, on February 19, 2008.

Officers found 351 cannabis plants, along with equipment for producing cannabis, and a bypassed electricity meter.

The court heard the plants could produce three harvests a year and if two other rooms were completed, the operation could yield up £250,000 of skunk cannabis a year.

Herbert told police he leased the barn to Preece to start a carpentry business in July 2007.

Preece told officers he borrowed money from people in Birmingham who pressurised him into converting the barn after struggling with repayments.

Mr Jeary said Lawrence was only hired to construct partitions to create rooms in the barn.

Herbert’s counsel, Carl Williams said he wasn’t aware of the electricity supply being bypassed and has sold the farm.

Bryn Broadstock, representing Preece and Lawrence, said Preece’s business plans were “overambitious.”

Judge Roderick Denyer said Herbert became aware of the cannabis production and did nothing. Herbert was ordered to pay a £1,500 fine, £2,600 to Swalec for the bypassed electricity and £300 towards prosecution costs.

Lawrence was given a 12-month conditional discharge, as Judge Denyer said he played an “insignificant part.”

Judge Denyer said although Preece was not the “organising genius,” his offences still warranted prison. Preece was jailed for 18 months.