POLICE found a cannabis factory when they raided a former plumber's merchants in Clayton-le-Moors, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how officers discovered about 400 plants in three 'zones,' and how the electricity had been by-passed.

Ex-convict and former drug addict Anthony Mason, the 37-year-old father of a 10-year-old daughter, was hiding behind some mature cannabis plants and later claimed he was minding the crop to repay a drug debt.

Mason walked free from court, but was slammed by a judge who told him to grow up and said there were all sorts of things he could have done about the position he had found himself in -- such as going to the police.

Judge Beverley Lunt continued: "Instead of behaving like a responsible father, here you are facing custody, fair and square in the face."

The judge went on: "Those who deal in the drug trade rely on people like you to look after those drugs," but added she was going to be merciful because of the peculiar circumstances of the case, his background and the fact he had shown he could keep out of trouble.

Mason, of Greenside Avenue, Blackburn, admitted cultivating cannabis.

He was given 80 hours community punishment, 12 months community rehabilitation and was warned by the judge if he flouted the order she would jail him.

Jane Dagnall, prosecuting, told the court police searched the premises on Whalley Road and found the cannabis factory last September.

Mason told officers: "I'm only looking after it. That's what I'm paid to do." Mason, who had 41 previous convictions, had a previous drugs offence.

Richard Bennett, defending, said Mason had been addicted to drugs in the past. He started taking heroin at an early age and from 1998 onwards he had a significant addiction to crack cocaine.

When the defendant was released from custody in June 2000 he returned to Blackburn and around June 2004 he saw his drug dealer in Blackburn town centre.

The dealer demanded money from Mason and then later turned up at his home several times wanting repayment of the debt.

Mr Bennett said around the end of July the defendant had been told he would get hurt if he did not get the money. He felt he had no choice but to find the cash.

The barrister continued: "It was the dealer's suggestion he work the debt off by helping in the care of the cannabis plants. He was shown how to mix the plant food and feed the plants. He had to visit the premises each day and water the plants."

Mr Bennett said when Mason was arrested, he had been helping cultivate the plants for about four weeks. There was no evidence he made any money and the defendant no longer used drugs.