'Unsavoury characters' demanded ex-serviceman grew cannabis to clear a debt

John Brian Costello was growing 165 plants in his 'large scale professional' set-up spread across four rooms in his home.

The 26-year-old turned to cannabis production in a desperate attempt to clear his debt after borrowing money from 'unsavoury characters' involved in a 'county lines' supply network but the loan was not drug related.

Michael Cahill, prosecuting, said the cannabis farm was discovered after police received a 999 call alerting them to the fact the defendant's home address appeared to have been broken into in February this year.

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He added: "Police entered the property and discovered the cannabis plants and a number of documents which indicated the occupant of the address was the defendant.

"The next morning the defendant attended the front desk at Middlesbrough police station and was arrested."

Jake Costello

A police expert valued the crop from the 165 plants to worth between £46,000 and £138,600 on the street depending on the yield from the cannabis, estimated to be up to 13kg.

In interview he admitted looking after the plants but did not take part in any of the selling of the drug but refused to name the people who had forced him into the scheme out of fear of repercussions.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Costello had served 90 days in detention following a court martial for violence in 2019.

Costello, of High Street, Normanby, near Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of Class B drugs, cannabis.

Kelleigh Lodge, in mitigation, said her client had left the armed forces voluntarily last year while suffering from post traumatic stress disorder due to his experiences while serving.

Costello was struggling with financial problems when he borrowed money from some 'unsavoury characters' which resulted in him becoming embroiled in drug production to clear his debt.

She said: "The offending took place after various threats were made towards him and his family."

The judge Recorder David Gordon sentenced father-of one Costello to 25 months in custody.

"You borrowed some money from some individuals because you were in a lot of debt and were unable to pay that money back.

"You claim this debt was not drug-related in any way and you say you yourself are not a drug user," he said.

"You say they threatened to hurt you and your family if you didn't pay the money, although you were in fear you didn't believe you or your family would be killed."

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