Woman, 34, was 'cuckooed' by drug dealers to grow cannabis farm in her house

A woman who was 'cuckooed' by drug dealers into growing a cannabis farm in her house has avoided jail. Sarah Parr, 34, fled her home following issues of domestic violence from her ex-partner, and was ‘pressured’ into allowing the drugs to be grown in her flat in Moston.

After police executed a search warrant at her home on Herschel Street, they found 48 cannabis plants, along with various drug paraphernalia. They also recovered wraps of cocaine and heroin, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Two men were seen trying to flee the house, one of which was later identified as Aden Hilton, 33. The other man had no further action taken against him. Following a search of Hilton's phone, messages showing drug dealing were recovered.

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Parr, of Preston, pleaded guilty to producing controlled drug class B on a basis that the property was hers and she was aware there was a cannabis farm, but played no active role. She also said both her and Hilton were under pressure at the time.

Hilton admitted producing controlled drugs, being concerned in the supply of drugs and two offences of permitting a premises to be used to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin, on a basis that he played no active role.

Prosecutor Niamh McGinty said that on September 18 2018, at around 6.30am, officers attended Herschel Street and executed a search warrant. Hilton and another man tried to flee but Hilton was arrested.

“The officers found 48 cannabis plants - 20 in one room, 28 in another, as well as various drug paraphernalia,” Ms McGinty said. “They also found 22.4g of cocaine 4.83g of heroin (diamorphine).

“In the living room officers found a