A 41-year-old man has been jailed for growing cannabis in the Dearne Safer Neighbourhood Team area.

On Friday 30 April 2010, John Farmer, formerly of Main Street, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, was given an 18-month prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court for cultivating cannabis.

He was also charged with defrauding the Department of Work and Pensions out of £833, illegally abstracting electricity worth £2,500 and arson. Farmer admitted the offences at court.

Farmer’s case dates back to December 2008 when a house fire occurred at a property on Main Street, Goldthorpe. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended and called police when they identified the blaze was caused by a ‘cannabis growing room’ set up in a bedroom and cellar.

PC Steve Bray, of Dearne SNT, said: “Although we never recovered any plants there was sufficient evidence to prove the offences. This is the most recent of a number of significant custodial sentences for people who grow cannabis and will encourage us to continue targeting suspected growers, dealers and all those involved in the drugs trade.”

To more information about the Dearne SNT log onto www.southyorkshire.police.uk, where you can enter your postcode. Alternatively, call the SNT on 01709 832138.