Injured worker planned to sell cannabis plants from his Wakefield home

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A worker who suffered an “industrial accident” planned to make money by selling cannabis plants from his home.

But the smell of the pungent plants led police to the door of Piotr Wardinski, where they found dozens in various stages of growth.

Leeds Crown Court heard that patrolling officers had been on Lincoln Street on February 16, 2021, when a member of the public told them that they suspected cannabis was being cultivated at one of the properties.

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They knocked on the door and were instantly hit by the unmistakable smell when Wardinski answered the door. Unable to speak English, his girlfriend assisted and the police searched the property.

Wardinski was caught growing plants at a property on Lincoln Street in Wakefield. (pics by Google Maps / National World)Wardinski was caught growing plants at a property on Lincoln Street in Wakefield. (pics by Google Maps / National World)
Wardinski was caught growing plants at a property on Lincoln Street in Wakefield. (pics by Google Maps / National World) | Google Maps / National World

They found 71 plants, along with several blue MDMA tablets and a canister of CS gas. It was noted that there was insufficient artificial lighting for the plants to grow to maturity, prosecutor Rhianydd Clement told the court this week.

Wardinski, now of Meadow Mews, Stanley told officers that he had set up the venture with plans to sell the plants themselves for buyers to continue growing them at their own home. He said he was planning to sell them for between £10 and £50 each.

He said he had a £500 debt that he needed to pay off. He also claimed he found the CS spray in a nightclub but did not know it was illegal.

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The 53-year-old later admitted producing cannabis, possession of a Class A drug and of a weapon that can discharge noxious liquid. He has one previous conviction in the UK, but eight from his time in Poland, although none for drugs.

Mitigating, James Holding said Wardinski had suffered an injury and was unable to work. He said: “It’s clear this offending was financially motivated. The root causes have now been addressed.

“It’s unlikely he would have committed these offences had he been in work.”

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The judge, Recorder Edward Legard said there had been “no satisfactory explanations” as to the three-year delay in bringing the matter to court.

He described Wardinski’s cannabis grow as an “amateur enterprise” but said there was an “expectation of significant financial gain”.

He gave him a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months. He also told him to complete 20 rehabilitation days with probation and a three-month electronic-tag curfew between 8pm and 6am daily.

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