Jailed: Albanian man hired as a gardener for massive Telford cannabis operation

Patjon Velku was found at the property in Watling Street in June this year where police discovered almost 300 thriving plants.

It was a commercial operation with four rooms at the house fitted with equipment to run a cannabis growing factory.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday Velku was sentenced to 14 months in prison having admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis.

Velku, of no fixed address, was said to be in the UK illegally and was expected to be deported back to Albania at the end of his sentence.

Judge Peter Barrie said there was no clear evidence of Velku's role in the operation, but he was at the house and had keys for the property and was there to look after the plants.

He said that, as Velku had no right to be in the UK, he could not seek legitimate work and was vulnerable to be recruited for this sort of role, but he did not accept the defendant had been intimidated or coerced.

Miss Samantha Powis, prosecuting, said Velku had hidden among the 3ft high plants when police raided the house on June 14 this year.

He had been seen at the window earlier and a short time later was found barefoot in a nearby street and arrested.

Miss Powis said the plants were contained in four rooms and the electricity meter had been by-passed.

It was estimated the crop would have produced up to 18 kilos of cannabis which had potential street value of up to £275,000 and that the plants had been cared for and it was clearly a commercial venture.

Miss Powis said that Velku told police he had only been there three days having been recruited by a person he referred to as 'big man' and was to be paid £60 a day.

However, he had been left some food and just £40 and claimed his life had been threatened when he attempt to leave the premises.

Mr Brendan Reedy, for Velku, said his client maintained he had only been hired as a gardener and had no other role in the operation.

He had attempted to get work washing cars and had been sleeping rough in the Birmingham area when he was approached and brought to the house in Wellington.

Mr Reedy said his client, who now wished to return to Albania, had been vulnerable and preyed upon by others.