A 27-YEAR-OLD has been jailed for growing cannabis with a street value of more than £44,000.

Andrew Bakewell, of Turton Heights, Bromley Cross, was arrested along with his former girlfriend, Martina Bilardi, after a home in Market Street, Bury, was raided by police on March 27 last year.

Susan Carter, prosecuting, told Bolton Crown Court how police found an eight foot square tent containing 40 potted cannabis plants. A further 72 more mature plants were found on the second floor.

Bilardi, aged 28, was arrested as she returned to the flat and her mother, who is the flat’s owner was also arrested. No charges were brought against her mother.

Bilardi was said to be looking after the flat for her mother and had leased it to Bakewell, her then boyfriend.

The court heard Bilardi, of Brook Mill, Eagley, had been aware Bakewell was growing cannabis but was not actively involved in it.

Andrew Costello, defending Bakewell, said he had “significant debts” and was a cannabis user. He works fulltime and volunteers at Little Warriors, a martial arts scholarship scheme in Radcliffe.

Bakewell had suffered from a number of “traumatic circumstances” including the death of his younger brother, grandparents and partner.

Bilardi was due to open a hairdressing salon and has a seven-year-old son. The court heard she has no previous convictions and suffers from depression and anxiety problems.

Sentencing, Recorder Kevin Talbot, said: “Bakewell, this will be your first taste of custody.

“It will be an alarming experience and at times too much to bear but you were playing the stakes too high.

“Bilardi, it seems to me you were fully aware of what was going on and the use of the premises for the purpose it was being used. It would be naive if you said you were unaware.”

Bakewell admitted production of cannabis and was jailed for two years and eight months.

Bilardi was sentenced to four months imprisonment suspended for 12 months after admitting allowing her premises to be used for the production of cannabis.

She was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.