Lanarkshire man avoids jail after fire crews find cannabis plants growing in bedroom

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A man who faced drugs charges after a fire at his Blantyre home has narrowly avoided a prison sentence. Firefighters called to the blaze found cannabis plants growing in a bedroom.Police later seized cocaine and ecstasy from the property.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Mark Rouse, 26, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.

He admitted producing cannabis at his then home in Camelon Crescent on October 6, 2019.He also admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and ecstasy.Aga Mathieson, prosecuting, said that when the alarm was raised firefighters had to force entry to the empty house.She stated: "They found a tent containing cannabis plants, lamps and heaters in a bedroom."Thereafter police got a search warrant and 16 cannabis plants were recovered."Police officers also found cocaine worth £1400 and 844 ecstasy pills, worth between £250 and £500."Ms Mathieson said the value of each cannabis plant ranged from £200 to £400, so the total worth of the cultivation was between £3200 and £6400.No cause for the fire was given, but police have warned repeatedly about the fire risks posed by cannabis cultivations that require intensive heating and lighting.Rouse has no previous convictions and has since moved to Bute.Defence agent Andy Iles said he had "distanced himself" from negative