A FATHER, his son and daughter caught producing cannabis from their homes have been spared jail.
More than 70 plants, capable of producing £56,000 worth of cannabis annually, were found at a house in Cottingham and two in Little Weighton.
Philip Coldham, 51, his son Sam, 19, and daughter Michelle, 29, have pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis and possession with intent to supply.
Police found 34 plants at Michelle's home in Eppleworth Road, Cottingham.
Sam was found in possession of 16 plants at his home in Riplingham Road, Little Weighton, and his father, who lived in the neighbouring cottage, had 24.
The plants were found on March 19 after the police received a tip-off from a member of the public.
The family pleaded guilty on the basis that they were not working together.
The honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, Judge Michael Mettyear, described it as a "sophisticated" operation.
He told them: "You should all be ashamed of yourselves for what you did.
"Your basis of plea is that you were operating separately, but you are a family and knew what the others were doing."
The judge singled Philip Coldham out for criticism, insisting he should have been setting an example to his children.
"If they had gone to prison, you would have been partially to blame.
"I have decided it is possible not to send you to prison. It has been a close-run thing, I'm sure another judge may have decided it was necessary to do so.
"The main reason I have decided not to send you to prison is because you all co-operated with the police and you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity."
Judge Mettyear said the amount of drugs found were "significant" and prison sentences could have been justified.
However, he told them: "All of you have been given a golden opportunity, make the most of it."
Philip Coldham claimed he had suffered financial difficulties and turned to producing cannabis to make money.
His solicitor, Craig Sutcliffe, said: "Due to the loss of a business contract, he suffered financial difficulties. He sold his collection of motorcycles and tried to do other things.
"This was the wrong alternative to tide him over until his business improved.
"It is not a case where the defendants had a lavish lifestyle. The defendants are remorseful."
Philip Coldham was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.
His daughter Michelle was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
His son Sam was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
PC Andy White, of the Kirk Ella Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "People are turning to other things to pay the bills, such as growing cannabis.
"That isn't the answer. It is illegal and anyone doing it will be prosecuted through the courts."
