A MAN who tried to solve his financial problems by setting up a cannabis farm in Bury St Edmunds has been jailed for two years.

Tony White borrowed money to rent and equip a unit in Ailwin Road and when police searched the premises in January they discovered 200 cannabis plants, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Michael Crimp, prosecuting, described the operation as “reasonably sophisticated” and said the electricity meter to the premises had been by-passed.

White, 43, of Notley Drive, Haverhill, admitted producing cannabis plants and converting criminal property.

Sentencing, Judge John Holt said White had set up the operation as a commercial venture after getting into business difficulties. He told him: “You decided to take a chance to repair your finances by illegal activity.

“Many people get into financial difficulties and the vast majority of them don’t turn to crime as a solution.”

The court heard police were alerted after White’s landlord visited the premises and saw plants growing in specially constructed rooms.

After his arrest, White had been frank with the police and said he had hoped to make �10,000 from the venture.

Steven Dyble, for White, said his client had been involved in a lengthy dispute about a right of way to his home which had ultimately led to the property being repossessed.

He had ended up losing his business as well as his home and had gone into rented accommodation.

Mr Dyble said White had been encouraged to get involved in setting up the cannabis farm by someone else and found it difficult to get out of the situation once he had become involved.