POLICE officers were shocked to find a garden shed converted into a cannabis factory after they executed a search warrant in the Winton area of Bournemouth.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how carpet fitter Alexander Wilson, 25, had immediately accepted responsibility for the 101 plants which were in various stages of cultivation and measured up to 82cm high.

Prosecutor Stuart Ellacott said the plants had been discovered after officers swooped on Wilson’s home in Wimborne Road on June 23 this year.

Wilson admitted possessing cannabis and illegally extracting £12,000 worth of electricity to power the illegal enterprise which had a potential yield value of about £2,000 a month.

Defending, Iain Ross said his client had settled the outstanding electricity bill on the day after his arrest.

“He made extensive admissions and accepts he has made a terrible mistake but is determined to put things right and not get into trouble again. Since this happened he has given up cannabis,” he said.

After hearing how Wilson had made £500 a month from selling the drug to friends, Judge Samuel Wiggs told him: “This is serious; you should have been charged with supplying the drug in which case you would have gone straight to prison.

“I don’t se why the public should have to pay for keeping you in custody.”

He imposed a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered Wilson, who will be electronically monitored for six months, to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.