Whitchurch drug dealer grew cannabis in 'daddy's shed'
A man who grew cannabis for his own use before becoming a local street dealer has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Robert Bransby, of Queensway, Whitchurch suffered from back problems and grew cannabis for his own use.
However Shrewsbury Crown Court heard on Wednesday how he had grown between 15 and 20 plants, and phone records revealed that he had been dealing the drug in the local area.
He had previously admitted two charges of producing a class B drug and possession with intent to supply.
He was given 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months and Judge Peter Barrie said the offences had crossed the custody threshold, before deciding to suspend the sentence.
He said: "You had long standing pain because of your back problems, but it is clear from your phone records that you become a local dealer."
Prosecutor Delroy Henry told the court that police were called to Bransby's address on August 12 last year, to deal with another matter.
Two young boys had reported being threatened with a long-barrelled weapon.
Firearms officers were sent to the scene and found a cannabis cultivation in a shed named 'daddy's shed'.
Mr Henry described the set up as 'semi-sophisticated', and phone records showed that he had been dealing the drug.
The 32-year-old entered early guilty pleas, and Henry Hills, defending, said his client had a similar offence but it was a considerable time ago.
He described him as a decent and hard working family man, who struggled with his emotions during the breakdown of his relationship.
He admitted the offences had passed the custody threshold, but urged the judge to suspended the sentence.
Judge Barrie said: "You established a small cultivation of cannabis and it was large scale, but it a worth while quantity for make a financial gain.
"You began producing cannabis for your own use to deal with medical problems, but it is clear you became a local dealer.
"It has past the custody threshold, but it is whether I should suspended the sentence."
Judge Barrie suspended the sentence, before ordering a 12-week curfew between 8pm and 6am.
Bransby was also ordered to complete 19 session of a thinking skills programme, and 20 rehabilitation days.
