A SOLICITOR who allowed her partner to grow cannabis at her Lancashire home has been suspended for six months.

Plants were discovered at the then-home of Michelle Laura Davis during an unrelated police welfare check, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal was heard.

But she told officers her partner was responsible for the discovery, in a bedroom, and she had little knowledge about the drugs.

Davis, who was a consultant solicitor for Nelson-based Adnan Hanif Solicitors at the time, was eventually appeared before Preston Crown Court in relation to the matter.

She pleaded guilty to permitting premises to be used for the production of cannabis and was given a 12-month community order with 25 days of rehabilitation activities and £340 costs.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Parry said that “although you plainly did allow the premises to be used for the growing of this cannabis they were not at the forefront of your mind because just days before you called the police to your address.”

Davis admitted to a number of disciplinary offences during a hearing in London, which she did not attend.

The tribunal was told she had been a solicitor for five years when the matters came to light.

In her official response to the allegations, she insisted she had played no part in setting up or cultivating the cannabis.

But she said that because she had not asked her partner to clear the room she had accepted her guilt.

She added: “I would love to be able to be given the chance to continue to practice as a solicitor.

“I accept fully my wrongdoing. This would never happen again.

“I understand fully that I have let people down, including myself, but I live in hope the people reading this may understand a little regarding the pressures and broken life that I was leading.”

READ > Brothers jailed for gang bats attack in Accrington street

Announcing her six-month suspension, the panel chairman said: “This was a one-off episode and the respondent has not appeared before the the tribunal before.

“The tribunal found her insight and remorse to be genuine.”

Mr Astle, who said the charges could be considered as “moderately serious” also noted that none of Davis’ clients had been adversely affected.