Teenage boy caught growing cannabis in his New Addington bedroom

A teenager who was caught growing cannabis plants in his bedroom has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

The 17-year old from New Addington, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to cultivating and possessing cannabis and was given the community service order.

Olivia Kong, prosecuting, said police raided the boy's house on May 14 and found cannabis being dried out in the airing cupboard.

There were also 72 plants growing in a lit bedroom.

Miss Kong added: "The youth was arrested and in an interview he said he had bought cannabis for £140 and it was for his personal use."

Miss Kong said the prosecution accepted the plants were being cultivated for his own consumption.

When sentencing him, Recorder Carey Hughes told the youth, who has previous convictions relating to traffic offences: "It is time you started to grow up and took life more seriously."

The judge also told the boy's 41 year-old father, who was in court at the time: "It seems it would be good if you kept a closer eye on him and were reminded of your responsibility as a parent."

The judge imposed a parenting order on the man.

By Jo Charlton
Source: http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/latestnews/Teenage-boy-caught-growing-cannabis-New-Addington-bedroom/article-1675986-detail/article.html