Dad and son admit producing drugs

A BUSINESSMAN and his son have admitted running two cannabis factories, producing thousands of pounds-worth of drugs.

Nicholas John Richardson, 49, and his son Matthew James Richardson, 24, have pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to producing cannabis.

Detectives discovered a cannabis factory in an industrial unit near Goole.

The unit was owned by Nicholas Richardson and was found to contain 419 cannabis plants.

It is estimated the street value of the cannabis would run in to thousands of pounds.

The police raided the unit in June last year.

A month later they raided his son's home in Ambleside, near Goole, and discovered 107 cannabis plants growing in it.

Two of the top floors in the property were being used for the production of cannabis.

Prosecutor Patrick Palmer told Hull Crown court: "It is clear there have been a number of growths previously at both premises.

"When the industrial unit was searched, Nicholas was arrested the next day.

"A large variety of documents in his handwriting were found in his car and more at his home regarding the arrangements for growing cannabis."

Nicholas Richardson initially denied having any knowledge of the first cannabis factory to the police but later claimed two men called "Big John and Big Joe" frightened him into doing it and they paid him to let them use the buildings.

He now admits involvement in both cannabis factories and his son admits involvement at the one at his home.

They have both pleaded guilty to producing a controlled drug of class B, namely cannabis, between January 2010 and July 2012.

The prosecution had alleged the cannabis production dated back to 2010 because some magazines on cannabis production was found at his property.

The defendants dispute this and claim it was just for a few months last year.

Matthew, of Low Street, Swinefleet, and his father, now of Selby, are due to be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court at a date to be fixed next month.

Judge Simon Jack has ordered a presentence report by the Probation Service to be prepared on them both.