Burnley building firm boss jailed for £10k cannabis farm

10:33am Wednesday 23rd November 2011 in Cliviger By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter

JAILED David Vallender JAILED David Vallender

A BUILDING firm boss who set up a potential £10,000-plus cannabis farm in a rented house in Cliviger has been jailed for two years.

David Vallender, 49, who was not long out of jail for growing the drug, used a separate inner room in the property’s attic, with a sophisticated ventilation and lighting system.

Twenty-nine plants and 92 seedlings, which would have been passed on for cash or for another operation, were found by police who raided the house in August last year, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Former plumber Vallender, of Lindsay Street, Burnley, had claimed he had been cultivating the crop under duress, but a jury had not believed him and convicted him of producing cannabis.

He now faces a proceeds of crime hearing.

David Macro, prosecuting, said police executed a search warrant at the rural house in Rush Hey.

The 29 plants did not appear to be in a good condition.

Police were unable to estimate the value of the potential yield, but would say 25 plants would normally produce cannabis worth £10,000 on the street.

Mr Macro said officers also discovered a list of items for another set-up and the defendant admitted he had drawn up costings for a 200 plant production.

When he was questioned, Vallender claimed he had been put under pressure to set up the farm after he came out of prison.

The defendant was jailed for 18 months for growing £400,000 worth of cannabis in a large industrial unit in Blackburn in 2009 and had also been involved in two other set-ups in Burnley and Rochdale, which were owned or controlled by him.

James Heyworth, for Vallender, said the defendant now had a legitimate business in construction.

The barrister continued: “He is capable not only of employing himself, but of employing others and spends a great deal of time caring for his elderly mother.”

Related links

Judge Simon Newell told Vallender: “It does seem very strange that a man of your age should resort to this. You might be very good at growing cannabis, but you are not very good at not getting caught.”

Comments (16)

1:28pm Wed 23 Nov 11

Peter-Reynolds says...

Why don't we try taking a completely new approach to this problem? Around three million people in Britain use cannabis regularly and whatever we do we're not going to stop them.

We waste billions every year on police, court and prison resources when a large proportion of society uses cannabis without any problem at all. In fact, the only real problem with cannabis is that it's illegal.

The risks to health are very small - much, much less than alcohol or tobacco. By a recent analysis of mortality, hospital admissions, toxicity and propensity to psychosis, cannabis is nearly 3000 times safer than alcohol. Why not introduce a tax and regulate system and realise the benefits?

That way we'd have a properly regulated supply chain with no criminals involved, no theft of electricity, no human trafficking, no destruction of property and disruption of neighbourhoods. Then there would be some control over this huge market. There would be thousands of new jobs, sales would be from licensed outlets to adults only with guaranteed quality and safety. Then our police could start going after some real wrongdoing instead of trying to fight a crime that exists only because of a misguided government policy.

Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR) published independent research on 14th September 2011 that shows a cannabis tax and regulate regime would provide a net gain to the UK exchequer of £6.7 billion per annum as well as reducing all health and social harms.

The only thing that keeps the present absurd status quo in place is weak politicians corrupted by the alcohol and Big Pharma lobbies.

Go to the CLEAR website for full details: www.clear-uk.org
Why don't we try taking a completely new approach to this problem? Around three million people in Britain use cannabis regularly and whatever we do we're not going to stop them. We waste billions every year on police, court and prison resources when a large proportion of society uses cannabis without any problem at all. In fact, the only real problem with cannabis is that it's illegal. The risks to health are very small - much, much less than alcohol or tobacco. By a recent analysis of mortality, hospital admissions, toxicity and propensity to psychosis, cannabis is nearly 3000 times safer than alcohol. Why not introduce a tax and regulate system and realise the benefits? That way we'd have a properly regulated supply chain with no criminals involved, no theft of electricity, no human trafficking, no destruction of property and disruption of neighbourhoods. Then there would be some control over this huge market. There would be thousands of new jobs, sales would be from licensed outlets to adults only with guaranteed quality and safety. Then our police could start going after some real wrongdoing instead of trying to fight a crime that exists only because of a misguided government policy. Cannabis Law Reform (CLEAR) published independent research on 14th September 2011 that shows a cannabis tax and regulate regime would provide a net gain to the UK exchequer of £6.7 billion per annum as well as reducing all health and social harms. The only thing that keeps the present absurd status quo in place is weak politicians corrupted by the alcohol and Big Pharma lobbies. Go to the CLEAR website for full details: www.clear-uk.org Peter-Reynolds

2:00pm Wed 23 Nov 11

BIGGLESTOE says...

Fully agree, plus big boost to our failing economy! Win win
Fully agree, plus big boost to our failing economy! Win win BIGGLESTOE

2:25pm Wed 23 Nov 11

Burnleyboy38 says...

+ LODSAAAAAAAA JOBSSSS
+ LODSAAAAAAAA JOBSSSS Burnleyboy38

2:32pm Wed 23 Nov 11

liskewth says...

It's pretty obvious from this article that sending this man to prison (or others who grow cannabis) just isn't working.

The police work tirelessly to try and cut the availability of cannabis from the streets of Burnley, but their hands are tied when they could be stopping all sorts of crime that cause serious harm to other people.

While this man is in jail, others decide to meet the gap in supply to fulfil the demand and this whole thing starts all over again. Channeling this demand into something legal would certainly cut down on the amount of tax money wasted on fighting cannabis farms, while at the same time generating revenue for those who cater for the demands of cannabis as a legitimate business.

I admire Lancashire Constabulary's dedication to doing the best they can to deal with the problem, but they can only work within the prohibition framework of legislation they are given. We have had 40 years of this and it's clearly not working. It's time for a new perspective.

Not only for the users of cannabis themselves, who I am aware are more than willing to pay taxes on this; but for the members of the public and their families, the victims of unscrupulous money-orientated violence, the massive incentive given by selling the most popular illegal substance in the world, the electricity companies who have their power stolen regularly, the landlords who have their rented properties destroyed, the children who can easily buy this whenever they like, the victims who are forced to commit crime in order to pay off their debts, the people trafficked over from other countries and forced into slavery to nurture and take the fall for such farms, the users who have hard and dangerous drugs pressure-sold to them because this market is in the hands of unscrupulous drug dealers. This list goes on and on ... how much longer ?
It's pretty obvious from this article that sending this man to prison (or others who grow cannabis) just isn't working. The police work tirelessly to try and cut the availability of cannabis from the streets of Burnley, but their hands are tied when they could be stopping all sorts of crime that cause serious harm to other people. While this man is in jail, others decide to meet the gap in supply to fulfil the demand and this whole thing starts all over again. Channeling this demand into something legal would certainly cut down on the amount of tax money wasted on fighting cannabis farms, while at the same time generating revenue for those who cater for the demands of cannabis as a legitimate business. I admire Lancashire Constabulary's dedication to doing the best they can to deal with the problem, but they can only work within the prohibition framework of legislation they are given. We have had 40 years of this and it's clearly not working. It's time for a new perspective. Not only for the users of cannabis themselves, who I am aware are more than willing to pay taxes on this; but for the members of the public and their families, the victims of unscrupulous money-orientated violence, the massive incentive given by selling the most popular illegal substance in the world, the electricity companies who have their power stolen regularly, the landlords who have their rented properties destroyed, the children who can easily buy this whenever they like, the victims who are forced to commit crime in order to pay off their debts, the people trafficked over from other countries and forced into slavery to nurture and take the fall for such farms, the users who have hard and dangerous drugs pressure-sold to them because this market is in the hands of unscrupulous drug dealers. This list goes on and on ... how much longer ? liskewth

3:48pm Wed 23 Nov 11

disgusted tunbridge wells says...

O dear another gardener goes to jail, how much is this costing us ?
O dear another gardener goes to jail, how much is this costing us ? disgusted tunbridge wells

4:01pm Wed 23 Nov 11

Greylox says...

2 years for growing a healing plant!?! Rapists and thugs barely get more time, what's wrong with this country?
2 years for growing a healing plant!?! Rapists and thugs barely get more time, what's wrong with this country? Greylox

4:06pm Wed 23 Nov 11

martynjhorne says...

yes thats right,,a plant that doubles up as medicine put on the same list as peados and rapists ,,,? criminals running rife in government is the root of all this
yes thats right,,a plant that doubles up as medicine put on the same list as peados and rapists ,,,? criminals running rife in government is the root of all this martynjhorne

4:16pm Wed 23 Nov 11

liskewth says...

Greylox wrote:
2 years for growing a healing plant!?! Rapists and thugs barely get more time, what's wrong with this country?
Well said
[quote][p][bold]Greylox[/bold] wrote: 2 years for growing a healing plant!?! Rapists and thugs barely get more time, what's wrong with this country?[/p][/quote]Well said liskewth

5:38pm Wed 23 Nov 11

HelmshoreBoy says...

When he's inside, he wants to sign up for the horticultural course and then he can learn how to grow some decent weeds!
When he's inside, he wants to sign up for the horticultural course and then he can learn how to grow some decent weeds! HelmshoreBoy

5:54pm Wed 23 Nov 11

Michael@ClitheroeSince58 says...

2 years for growing a bit of weed, yet the bloke who was stealing collection boxes got just 1 year. crazy crazy world
2 years for growing a bit of weed, yet the bloke who was stealing collection boxes got just 1 year. crazy crazy world Michael@ClitheroeSince58

6:32pm Wed 23 Nov 11

MkkDdd says...

Meanwhile the real criminals - the politicians who perpetuate this farce for the sake of the gratuities the receive from the beneficiaries of the War on Drugs, e.g. the pharmaceutical and incarceration industries, the UN agencies loyally serving the 1% and all the law enforcement agents whose jobs depend on it, still enjoy their liberty; for the time being.
Meanwhile the real criminals - the politicians who perpetuate this farce for the sake of the gratuities the receive from the beneficiaries of the War on Drugs, e.g. the pharmaceutical and incarceration industries, the UN agencies loyally serving the 1% and all the law enforcement agents whose jobs depend on it, still enjoy their liberty; for the time being. MkkDdd

7:25pm Wed 23 Nov 11

chrisbb says...

What a complete waste of money taking this man through the Courts and sending him to prison for growing a plant. It's an absolute disgrace and the judge should hang his head in shame.

Tax and regulate cannabis is the only way forward; I'm sure there are many areas of government who would appreciate some of that £7 billion it is reported the tax payer would save if prohibition were ended.
What a complete waste of money taking this man through the Courts and sending him to prison for growing a plant. It's an absolute disgrace and the judge should hang his head in shame. Tax and regulate cannabis is the only way forward; I'm sure there are many areas of government who would appreciate some of that £7 billion it is reported the tax payer would save if prohibition were ended. chrisbb

7:50pm Wed 23 Nov 11

ste.g says...

at the end of the day it doesnt matter what is right or wrong regarding cannabis.all that does matter is it is illegal to sell or grow the stuff.he knew that full well and it didnt stop him BREAKING THE LAW.
he is where he belongs deal with it.
at the end of the day it doesnt matter what is right or wrong regarding cannabis.all that does matter is it is illegal to sell or grow the stuff.he knew that full well and it didnt stop him BREAKING THE LAW. he is where he belongs deal with it. ste.g

8:07pm Wed 23 Nov 11

Peter-Reynolds says...

@ste.g

Ugh!
@ste.g Ugh! Peter-Reynolds

8:37pm Wed 23 Nov 11

liskewth says...

ste.g wrote:
at the end of the day it doesnt matter what is right or wrong regarding cannabis.all that does matter is it is illegal to sell or grow the stuff.he knew that full well and it didnt stop him BREAKING THE LAW.
he is where he belongs deal with it.
Your taxes are being wasted. Are you happy to just deal with that? While this man is behind bars, someone else has seen their opportunity to increase their profits. Then there are thousands more pounds being spent (of OUR tax money) for this to happen all over again.

At a time where Lancashire Constabulary are selling police stations off all over Rossendale up the road and in other places, this is a very good time to be thinking about how policy can be changed and how money can be saved.

The police don't have a choice; if they find farms like this they have to waste money on them, it's the very law they are trying to uphold that is the problem.

Cannabis can be made profitable by government interests, as well as legitimate businesses. People wont need to have farms anymore because there will be no point doing it given the massive profit cuts to drug dealers this will make. This will make crime associated with illicit farms drop and clean Burnley up a bit, as well as other parts of the area.

It does matter and it's time to face up to that because it's a fact.
[quote][p][bold]ste.g[/bold] wrote: at the end of the day it doesnt matter what is right or wrong regarding cannabis.all that does matter is it is illegal to sell or grow the stuff.he knew that full well and it didnt stop him BREAKING THE LAW. he is where he belongs deal with it.[/p][/quote]Your taxes are being wasted. Are you happy to just deal with that? While this man is behind bars, someone else has seen their opportunity to increase their profits. Then there are thousands more pounds being spent (of OUR tax money) for this to happen all over again. At a time where Lancashire Constabulary are selling police stations off all over Rossendale up the road and in other places, this is a very good time to be thinking about how policy can be changed and how money can be saved. The police don't have a choice; if they find farms like this they have to waste money on them, it's the very law they are trying to uphold that is the problem. Cannabis can be made profitable by government interests, as well as legitimate businesses. People wont need to have farms anymore because there will be no point doing it given the massive profit cuts to drug dealers this will make. This will make crime associated with illicit farms drop and clean Burnley up a bit, as well as other parts of the area. It does matter and it's time to face up to that because it's a fact. liskewth

10:16pm Wed 23 Nov 11

MkkDdd says...

Meanwhile, the real criminals - the politicians who perpetuate this farce for the sake of the gratuities they receive from the beneficiaries of the War on Drugs, e.g. the pharmaceutical and incarceration industries, the UN agencies loyally serving the 1% and all the law enforcement agents whose jobs depend on it, still enjoy their liberty; for the time being.
Meanwhile, the real criminals - the politicians who perpetuate this farce for the sake of the gratuities they receive from the beneficiaries of the War on Drugs, e.g. the pharmaceutical and incarceration industries, the UN agencies loyally serving the 1% and all the law enforcement agents whose jobs depend on it, still enjoy their liberty; for the time being. MkkDdd

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree