Man spared immediate custody after cannabis cultivation discovery

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Police uncovered a cannabis grow room at a man’s home while responding to reports of an “altercation”. Officers were called to a physical dispute between a man and a woman in Milford Haven at approximately 9:50am on 19 January. Upon arrival, a man attempted to walk away but later identified himself as 33-year-old Reece Cookson. He was subsequently taken to Haverfordwest Police Station. While searching his residence, officers noticed dripping sounds and a loud fan. Following a ventilation tube, they discovered three wire trays of cannabis plants concealed behind a white plastic sheet.

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During police interviews, Cookson admitted the cannabis belonged to him, claiming he was cultivating it for personal use. Prosecutor Regan Walters informed Swansea Crown Court that the plants had yielded 995.4 grams of cannabis. The total potential yield ranged between 540 grams and 1.5 kilograms, with an estimated street value of at least £5,600, surpassing typical amounts for personal use. However, the prosecution accepted that Cookson was not engaged in selling the drug. He pleaded guilty to cannabis cultivation and possession at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. An additional charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was dismissed.

Defence solicitor Caitlin Brazel stated that Cookson accepted full responsibility for his actions, offering no justification for his behaviour. She explained that he had initially used cannabis for self-medication but had since ceased consumption. His time in custody had allowed him to reflect on his decisions, and he had completed rehabilitation programmes such as ‘Smart Recovery’ and ‘Motivation to Change’. Brazel emphasised that he had taken meaningful steps towards reform and self-improvement.

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Judge Wayne Beard concluded that an immediate custodial sentence was not in the public interest, as Cookson had already spent time in custody and would have been released “almost immediately” without additional support. Given his prior compliance with a suspended sentence between 2016 and 2018, the judge expressed confidence that a similar approach would prevent further offences. Cookson received a three-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to pay a £154 surcharge.