‘Stupid’ Millom drug grower sparked blaze at house
Last updated at 17:16, Friday, 08 February 2013
A CANNABIS gardener has been jailed for three years after his £25,000 plantation was uncovered after a house fire broke out.
Rian Daman Protheroe’s house in Wellington Street, Millom, which he rented under an alias after a previous eviction from the address, was transformed into a cannabis factory, before a fire caused £20,000 worth of damage to the property.
On Wednesday, Lancaster Crown Court heard how Protheroe, 26, had been a cannabis factory gardener – looking after the operation for another man, on the promise of food and accommodation.
But the plantation was unearthed on May 25 last year, after a fire broke out in the house when Protheroe attempted to fix a ceiling vent with a highly flammable sealant canister, while holding a naked flame.
Prosecutor, Mr Roger Baldwin, said police recovered 63 cannabis plants and cultivation paraphernalia, including heat lamps and fertiliser, after the fire was extinguished.
He said: “Forensic scientists described the cannabis farm as ‘fairly sophisticated but unorganised’.
“(Protheroe) entered the loft with the foam to fill the gaps around the air vents. He was carrying a candle, which lit the canister.”
Mr Baldwin said the street value of the cannabis was between £15,000 and £25,000.
Protheroe, now of Green Lane, Whixall, Whitchurch, Shropshire, was released on bail following his arrest, but was stopped a few days later by police, after the car he was driving had been reported stolen from Port Haverigg Holiday Village.
While searching the car, officers discovered a spray canister.
Defence barrister Mr Mark Shepherd said: “He was at the address for a matter of days and most of the equipment was already in situ when he arrived.
“On this occasion he has gone into the loft space and done something incredibly stupid.”
Protheroe, who pleaded guilty to arson and cannabis production, was jailed for three years.
First published at 16:36, Friday, 08 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
More Millom news
- Hunt for Millom men after car torched in street
- Millom bike track axe ‘leaves young with nothing’ (10 comments)
- Pledge to Millom customers after credit union goes to wall
- Millom charity song is aired on station
- Millom on-call doctor bid gathers momentum
- Millom Police Community Support Officer found guilty of assault (1 comment)
- Youngsters hopeful for Millom skate park deal (1 comment)
- Millom churches hold family fun day for community
- Crucial Millom meeting will hear demand for on-call doctor (1 comment)
- Appeal after low Copeland poll turnout
- Full steam ahead for Millom discovery centre as visitor numbers boom
- Dyslexic PC faced ‘unfair treatment’ by Sellafield force
- Cumbria County Council election
- Millom disabled group’s dismay at councillor ruling
- NHS cuts ‘hidden by Prime Minister David Cameron’ - West Cumbria MP
- Millom mum thanks ‘wonderful’ team who saved her son
- Millom woman takes on three-mile lake swim for granddad’s cancer battle
- Talent made Barrow musician Doug widely known
- Woman shops brother in Millom child porn case (1 comment)
- Millom vandals targeting park come under fire
- Millom girl is riding high after donation
- Man threw drugs and phones into Haverigg prison
- New-found skill brought Millom father back from brink (2 comments)
- New-found skill brought Millom father back from brink
- Warning issued over Millom flytipping (1 comment)
Evening Mail homepage
ENERGY FOR LIFE 5.1k WALNEY FAMILY FUN RUN
Did you enjoy the Energy For Life 5.1k Walney Family Fun Run?
• Click here to pledge to take part in next year's event on September 2, 2012
Handy links
Vote
Quick links
- Barrow Dad wins £200 Debenhams voucher with the Evening Mail
- Bootle wife cleared of assaulting rival
- Tribute penned for Millom dad (2 comments)
- TITANIC
- A595 closed for two hours after collision
- Visit fails to change mind over closure of Bootle school
- Shot dog was "worrying sheep"
- Sainsbury's plan for town (27 comments)
- Primestock
- Duddon blown away by Haverigg's Caribbean king
- Millom Police Community Support Officer found guilty of assault (1 comment)
- Hunt for Millom men after car torched in street
- Millom bike track axe ‘leaves young with nothing’ (10 comments)
- Fears over Haverigg prison's future (7 comments)
- A595 closed for two hours after collision
- MILLOM & DISTRICT ANGLING ASSOCIATION
- SOUTH CUMBRIA SEA SPORTS ASSOCIATION LTD
- Woman shops brother in Millom child porn case (1 comment)
- Pledge to Millom customers after credit union goes to wall
- MILLOM & HAVERIGG PEOPLE AND PLACES SPRING 2013
 | ||||||||||||
|
 | ||||||
|
Have your say
Be the first to comment on this article!
Make your comment