A cannabis factory was uncovered at a house after a bailiff went there to evict the tenant for failing to pay rent, a court heard.

Suspicions were raised when duct tape was seen around the frame of the door of the spare bedroom.

The tape was removed and 82 cannabis plants were found to be flourishing in the room fully kitted out with sophisticated equipment.

Carl Tolhurst, the tenant of the house in Skylark Way, in Park Farm, Ashford, denied producing a controlled drug, but was convicted.

Jailing him for three-and-a-half years, Judge Jeremy Carey said: “Up and down the country in every town there are people like you who take a chance they can make some money from drugs.

“There is a ready and enthusiastic market for their sale. Very substantial profits are likely to be made.”

Prosecutor Patrick Dennis said the bailiff went to the two-bedroom, semi-detached house with an estate agent and a locksmith on August 1 last year following a County Court order for eviction.

There was no reply to a knock on the door, so entry was forced. Tolhurst, 61, came down the stairs and was told he was being evicted. He went back up to collect some belongings and was adamant the three should wait downstairs.

But the locksmith went up to empty a water tank in the airing cupboard and noticed the tape around the bedroom door.

“He broke the tape and entered and discovered a relatively large cannabis factory,” Mr Dennis told Maidstone Crown Court.

“It was well managed with ventilation and lighting. Fertiliser was being used. It was connected to a water tank outside the bedroom.

“In the front bedroom was a cannabis grinder and a bag of herbal cannabis. The duct tape was sent for analysis. It had the defendant’s DNA on it.”

When allowed back to collect more belongings Tolhurst joked about how much the plants were worth. But he claimed he played no part in the cultivation of the drug.

Kerry Waitt, defending, said Tolhurst was homeless and had been staying with a friend. He was working as a fitter across the river from the court.

“These proceedings have had a cathartic effect on him,” he added.