A MAN was "devastated" to learn his home was used as a £45,000 cannabis farm operation while he left for an extended break.

The property in Lympstone Close, Westcliff, was rented out by the victim as he took an break for 12 months.

Eventually, Ervis Daci, 30, of no fixed abode, occupied the property and began to grow cannabis plants before his arrest on December 13 last year.

Daci pleaded guilty to production of cannabis on December 14 and appeared in Basildon Crown Court for sentencing on Friday.

Geoffrey Porter, prosecuting, said: “Police attended the property in the early hours of December 13 finding this defendant and cannabis plants.

“There were 56 adult plants and 297 propagator plants and the crown’s case is this defendant was the gardener.

“The property had large quantities of cannabis plants that were grown and well-tended to with the lower leaves removed so nutrients could travel through the plants.

“Further nutrients and pesticides were present at the address as these plants were hand watered as there was high intensity lighting, carbon filters and fans too.”

The loft and four main rooms in the house were used to grown plants with experts making observations that 28 to 84 grams could be harvested from each plant with a potential yield of 1.5 to 4.5 kilograms.

The estimated street value of these plants if harvested would be between £15,000 and £45,000 plants.

Mr Porter summarised a victim impact statement from the man who let the property out.

He said: “The victim described how he was devastated to find out what happened.

“He didn’t get the rent he would have expected and there was also considerable damage to his property as he was facing dealing with repairs.

“He is ashamed the property was taken over by criminals and said it no longer feels like home.”

Adekunle Tijani mitigated for Daci in court.

He said: “Mr Daci has regretted his involvement in this operation as he came to England with a view for a better life.

“He said once he finishes serving time in prison he wants to return to Albania.”

Recorder Nicholas Bacon KC sentenced Daci to 29 weeks in prison.