Cannabis farmer sent to jail for 18 months

William Brown was caught because of a strong smell coming from the terraced home.

Brown (43) appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted producing cannabis in Kilbreck Lane on December 15 last year. The father of three lived alone at the house.

Mohammed Sarwar, prosecuting, told the court: “Officers found a hatch in a cupboard under the stairs. They took away the carpet, lifted the hatch and found a set of aluminium stairs going down to a basement.

“The area had been adapted for growing cannabis.

“In total 56 plants were recovered along with lighting, duct, plant nutrients and other paraphernalia.”