Basildon police have applauded the jail term handed out to a man they caught running a cannabis factory from his home.

John Willett was arrested in April 2004 when police raided his home in Grimston Road, Basildon, and discovered more than 30 cannabis plants growing in bedrooms and the toilet.

The 46-year-old was sentenced in Basildon Crown Court to 18 months' imprisonment after he admitted at an earlier hearing to cultivating the class C drug.

PC Kelly Ebdon, officer in charge of the case, said: "This is a victory. This is a good result and a lot of time and effort was put in by all the members of the Basildon tactical team.

"This sends a clear message to any people who think they can get away with cannabis production.

"The sentence reflects the obvious severity of the offences. Although cannabis has been reclassified, it does not mean it is legal."

Willett was also given 12 months for tapping into someone else's electricity and three months for possessing three knives and a police-style baton.

Both will run concurrently with his other sentence.

Judge Frank Lockhart ordered the weapons and narcotics to be confiscated and destroyed.