An Albanian cannabis farmer has been locked up after more than 80 plants were recovered from a North East property.

Samit Bajrami tried to flee the scene when police raided the house in Thornaby but was caught and arrested.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the illegal immigrant had been transported from Norwich to the North East to work inside the cannabis farm.

Sam Faulks, prosecuting, said officers recovered 83 plants from two bedrooms and the loft, which were all being grown through a sophisticated set-up.

He said: “Officers found a number of different areas of cannabis growth. There were 23 plants in one bedroom being cultivated with nine lights; 20 plants in another bedroom with six lights; and in the loft was a further 20 plants that were being grown with seven lights.”

Mr Faulks said the police estimated that the plants would yield between 1.7kg and 5.34kg with a street value of between £17,500 and £53,000.

Bajrami, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of Class B drugs following the raid at the address on Mansfield Avenue on June 19 this year.

Tom Bennett, mitigating, his client had already served the equivalent of a 30-week prison sentence while being held on remand following his arrest when he was caught working in the property.

Judge Chris Smith said: “In June the police went to a house in Thornaby, they thought cannabis was being grown there and they were right. You tried to run away but you were caught.

“I sentence you on the basis that you were being taken advantage of. You were down on your luck as an illegal immigrant you were it difficult to get work.

“You were homeless and in need of food and somewhere to wash. Two men drove you from Norwich and put you to work in this cannabis factory.

“It was a professional set-up, more than 80 plants with all the lighting needed and you have agreed to work in this factory.”

Judge Smith sentenced Bajrami to 30 weeks in prison.