A burglary victim who was beaten up in his own home in Newton Abbot ended up by being arrested by police when they found a cannabis-growing operation in his attic.

Paul Barrett suffered facial injuries in the assault but when police were called they noticed bright lights coming from the loft and went to investigate.

They found 78 young plants growing in a sophisticated set up with lights, fans, and timers and a tub with traces of cannabis which may have come from a previous harvest.

Barrett told police he had been pressured into growing the drugs, which would have been worth at least £15,000 if they had grown to their full height.

At Exeter Crown Court, Barrett, 44, of Queen Street, Newton Abbot, admitted production of cannabis and was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, and ordered by Recorder Mr Philip Mott, QC, to receive rehabilitation.

He told him: ’This was a sophisticated operation in the early stages of cannabis production with plants which had the potential to produce drugs with a street value of at least £15,000.

’This was discovered because police were called to a burglary at your home in which you were injured.’

Peter Coombe, prosecuting, said officers attended the house on June 7 last year and found Barrett with facial injuries from an alleged attack.

He said: ’Police searched the address and saw a light shining from the loft hatch and when they investigated they found 78 plants growing.

’The estimated potential yield was 2.1 to 6.5 kilograms with a street value of £15,600 to £46,800. There was all the equipment one would expect, 27 lamps, three air filters, four fans and 13 transformers. The electrical meter had been bypassed.

’Barrett’s fingerprints were found at the location on the foil lining and the junction box and indicated he was involved.’

Martin Salloway, mitigating, said the incident which led to the police being called supported Barrett’s assertion that he was acting under pressure from others. He was now keen to address his own drug issues.