Pair jailed for 24 months after plotting ‘large-scale’ cannabis factory at ruined 19th century house in Caithness
Two men who operated an illegal cannabis factory in a ruined Caithness mansion received stiff jail sentences today.
Phillip Nicholson (52) and his 35-year-old accomplice Damon Mackay were both jailed for 24 months by Sheriff Neil Wilson, who described their offence as "a planned large-scale operation for their personal benefit and harm to the community", stating that there was no alternative to custody.
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Wick Sheriff Court was told during their three-day trial that Nicholson, from Gairloch, and Mackay, of Huddart Street, Wick, would have stood to rake in as much as £83,000 on the street, had the crop reached its full potential.
It was only half-matured when it was uncovered by police at rural Sackville House, at Hastigrow, Bower, on May 1, 2021.
Officers seized 92 healthy plants and all the horticultural electronic paraphernalia and ingredients required for cultivation - lamps, water and fertiliser.
The fact that both accused's DNA was found on food or drink items in the house clinched the case for the prosecution.
Nicholson, alone, gave evidence and claimed the DNA had come from items he had touched when having lunch outside on his one and only visit to the house to obtain spare parts from an old vehicle.
The accused alleged that witness Peter Campbell, who had access to the property, had planted the items in the building.
Mr Campbell denied having named Nicholson and Mackay as having been involved in the cannabis operation, to get himself out of trouble.
The jury found both accused guilty, in less than an-hour-and-a-half, of illegally producing cannabis and being concerned in its supply.
They pleaded not guilty.
Their defence agents, Myrin Hill and Atlanta Jack stressed today, that the two accused had made no financial gain from their enterprise as the cannabis plants had not reached maturity.
