Edderton tree surgeon 'obsessed' with growing perfect cannabis plant ends in dock

A tree surgeon was "obsessed" with growing the perfect cannabis after one of his two customers praised him for the quality which he described as "excellent."

William Haig-Thomas replied to the message, saying: "I will only get better at it", Inverness Sheriff Court was told.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank heard that police raided the 27-year-old Easter Ross man's home at Holly House, Ardmore Road, Edderton on February 28, 2022 after intelligence had been received.

Fiscal depute Alison Young told the court that a total of 21 plants were being grown in various locations in and around the property including his shed and bedroom, where various tents and heaters had been installed.

Once police had gathered the plants and swept up cuttings, a total of 981.5 grams of the Class B drug were recovered with an estimated maximum street value of around £19,000.

Mrs Young added: "A mobile phone was also recovered. It showed messages between November 16, 2021 and February 28, 2022 and it is accepted he was supplying two people.

"One message read: 'The stuff is excellent.' He replied: 'I will only get better at it.' He was arrested and charged and at a second police interview, he made full admissions to police.

"He denied he was dealing drugs but confirmed he was supplying to two friends. He said he would get petrol money if he delivered."

Haig-Thomas also told the police that he "became obsessive about growing cannabis and he was trying to grow the perfect plant."

Sentence was deferred until March 25 for a background report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.

Defence solicitor Laura-Jane McFarlane reserved her comments until then.