A JUDGE slammed the prosecution service for failing to charge the owner of a cannabis farm until 18 months after he admitted to the crime.

Ryan Bullen, of Daffodil Road, Farnworth was arrested on January 12, 2018 after police discovered a two-room cannabis farm in his house.

The 28-year-old admitted to producing and dealing cannabis the next day but he was not charged until June, 2019.

Bullen was introduced to cannabis by a friend, while he was suffering with depression having lost his job and been in an accident, Bolton Crown Court heard.

He started to produce a small amount for himself and he would sell any he left over between his small group of friends.

Police discovered the cannabis farm at Bullen’s house when they were alerted to reports of a burglary by one of his neighbours.

Eight small plants were found, as well as 1.2kg of cannabis from previous crops.

David Lees, prosecuting, described the farm as “relatively sophisticated” and estimated that the cannabis would have been worth around £12,700 if it had all been sold.

“Although, I appreciate some would have been smoked by himself,” Mr Lees added.

Bullen told police he sold around £150 worth a cannabis per week, for a total of six months, to cover the costs of production.

He eventually pleaded guilty to production of a controlled class B drug and possession with intent to supply, at Bolton Magistrates’ Court on June 4.

Judge Richard Gioserano asked Mr Lees what the reason was for the delay in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charging Bullen, despite him admitting his crimes a day after being caught.

Judge Gioserano said: “He admitted it on January 13, 2018 and as far as I can see, it’s taken 18 months to charge him

“This man is about to receive a community order, at least in part because of the delay to take any action against him for over 18 months.”

Mr Lees put the delay down to the “pressures” that come with analysing drugs.

Judge Gioserano then replied: “He admitted it. How long does it take to weigh 1.2kg of what is clearly cannabis?”

Bullen was given a 12 month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work.

“You were arrested in January 2018,” Judge Gioserano added.

“You admitted what you’ve did and you pleaded guilty when finally you were prosecuted.

“The basis of your plea is in effect what you told the police over 18 months ago

“In all probability you would have gone to prison if I’d have been sentencing you when I should have been, without the delay here, and without the progress you have made since that delay.

“Since then you have got yourself a job, there has been no further offending and you have got on top of your drug problem.”

Addressing Mr Lees, Judge Gioserano said: “The public are entitled to better. If a man admits something freely to the police he shouldn’t just be left for 18 months to go back to his life.

“The officer in the case will be asked to provide a letter within 14 days to explain the complete lack of action.”