A “foolhardy” Dundee father-to-be who had over 70 cannabis plants in his loft has been jailed for 27 months.
Police discovered the plants and a CS canister in the Longtown Road home of Lee Millar, 32.
He previously admitted between January 19 and April 19 at Longtown Road he was concerned in supplying cannabis to another or others.
He also admitted between the same dates at the same address he stole electricity.
He further admitted on April 19 at Longtown Road he had in his possession without the authority of the Secretary of State, a prohibited weapon a CS canister with capsaicin.
Depute fiscal Vikki Bell told the court that on April 19 police received a telephone call in relation to a separate matter and attended at the address.
Millar was found in the house and a police officer saw an open cupboard and could smell cannabis.
“After taking a closer look in the loft he saw in excess of 50 cannabis plants,” Miss Bell said.
“Further inquiry revealed the electricity meter appeared to have been tampered with.”
Millar was taken to police headquarters and interviewed.
On April 20 scenes of crimes officers attended and inspected the loft space. A canister of CS spray was also seen in a cupboard.
Miss Bell said: “There have been 73 cannabis plants recovered. The CS spray canister contains capsaicin pepper. This item is a firearm.”
Defending, solicitor Kris Gilmartin said Millar would not have directly benefited from the value of the drugs.
Mr Gilmartin said: “Mr Millar was approached by an associate. He was clearly identified as a target. He was extremely surprised to see the amount of equipment that was brought to his front door.
“He should have taken evasive action but at that stage he was scared. He remained passive and allowed this to happen.”
Mr Gilmartin said Millar was not to receive any financial reward from the profit made on the cannabis but was to receive £500 for the storing the equipment.
He added: “It was an extremely foolhardy thing for Mr Millar to do.”
He also said his client had been too scared to get rid of the CS canister.
Mr Gilmartin said Millar’s partner is seven months pregnant and he is employed.
“He stands to lose a great deal,” he said. “If he goes into custody he will miss the birth of his child.”
Sheriff Tom Hughes told Millar he had been stupid enough to get involved in the matter.
“A custodial sentence is inevitable,” he said.
He sentenced Millar to 27 months in prison and allowed forfeiture of the cannabis plants and CS canister.