A Lowestoft couple who were involved in a 'sophisticated' cannabis factory in the town have both been jailed.

Lowestoft Journal: Theresa GeeTheresa Gee (Image: Archant)

Police officers who went to a rented property in Princes Road, Lowestoft, discovered 42 cannabis plants being grown in three bedrooms and also found a growing tent, hydroponic growing equipment, lighting, heat lamps and air filters, Ipswich Crown Court heard last week.

Rebecca Fairbairn, prosecuting, said the cannabis plants had an estimated potential street value of between £11,000 and £33,000 and an estimated wholesale value of between £2,750 and £3,750.

Before the court last Friday were Glen Houghton, 34, of Hadleigh Drive, Lowestoft and Theresa Gee, 33, of Normandy Road, Lowestoft.

Gee admitted producing cannabis, permitting premises to be used for the production of cannabis and possession of cannabis, and was jailed for 20 months.

Houghton denied being involved in the production of cannabis but was found guilty after a trial. He admitted possession of cannabis and breach of a suspended sentence and was jailed for a total of 36 months.

Sentencing the couple, Judge John Devaux said most of the house had been given over to the production of cannabis.

Miss Fairbairn told the court that when police officers raided the house on March 10, Houghton told them: 'It's upstairs. It's all mine. I'm up to my eyes in debt.'

He handed police a set of keys and when they went upstairs they noticed a strong smell of cannabis and found the drugs being grown in three rooms.

Miss Fairbairn described the growing operation as a 'sophisticated cannabis factory' but said it was on a moderate scale.

Russell Butcher, for Gee, said she knew about the cannabis plants but her only involvement had been to check on them. He said although Gee was the tenant of the house, she spent most of her time at her mother's.

Steven Dyble, for Houghton, said a third person had been involved in the operation and had played a more significant role than his client.