A PROLIFIC offender who ran a cannabis farm in his girlfriend’s home was caught when police raided the house over other offences.

Police found the cannabis at the house in Richmond Street, Southend, after Darren Girling, 32, failed to appear in court over some motoring offences.

Officers discovered Girling had been growing cannabis in the loft space.

Tom Forster, prosecuting, told Basildon Crown Court a total of 92 plants were found during last December’s raid.

A hydroponic system was in use and a bag of herbal cannabis was recovered.

Girling insisted his partner, who rented the property, had no idea what he was up to. He also claimed he allowed someone else to grow the cannabis, so he could clear a £17,000 debt.

Mr Forster told the court Girling had 238 previous convictions for offences including arson, burglary, criminal damage, and dishonesty.

Jailing Girling for two years, Judge Alice Robinson told him: “I accept you do not fall to be sentenced as the organiser or manager of the production enterprise, but rather as the gardener.”

However, the judge said his crime was “seriously aggravated” by the longest record of previous offences she had ever seen.

At an earlier hearing, Girling admitted cultivating and possessing cannabis.