Jailed: Arlesey drug dealer who grew cannabis at Shangri-La Farm on edge of Stevenage
Jailed drug dealer Leigh Windsor, inset, and the cannabis factory found by police at Shangri-La Farm on the edge of Stevenage. Pictures: Herts police - Credit: Archant
A drug dealer who was involved in growing cannabis at Shangri-La Farm on the edge of Stevenage has been jailed.
Cambridge Crown Court, where Leigh Windsor was sentenced on Friday. - Credit: Archant
Leigh Windsor, of Ramerick Gardens in Arlesey, grew scores of cannabis plants in Unit 10 of the former turkey farm off Stevenage Road in Todds Green – which is now an industrial site.
The operation at Shangri-La, next to a bridge over the A1(M), was discovered by police on December 23 last year. The same day, officers found 79.3g of cocaine and 3.75kg of cannabis in Windsor’s house.
Recorder Sandeep Kainth, sitting at Cambridge Crown Court, jailed the 39-year-old for two years and eight months on Friday.
PC Pete Lea, of the Operational Support Group, said afterwards: “I am pleased with Windsor’s sentence as it sends a clear message to any would-be drug dealers that we will crack down on this type of activity in our communities.
The cannabis factory found by police at Shangri-La Farm, in Todds Green near Stevenage, on December 23. Photo: Herts police - Credit: Jason Phypers
“We work hard to bring these types of offenders to justice and information given to us by members of the public is often extremely important in cases like this. So if you have any concerns about someone growing or dealing drugs in your community, please do not hesitate to call us.”
Windsor admitted possessing class A and B drugs with intent to supply, as well as being involved in growing the plants, when he appeared before Stevenage magistrates in March.
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The crown court sentencing, originally scheduled for April 6, was delayed after he was seriously injured in a car crash while on bail.
The court ordered the drugs to be forfeited and destroyed.
Shangri-La Farm, on the outskirts of Stevenage, where cannabis was produced in Unit 10. Picture: Google Street View - Credit: Archant
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been scheduled for October 27 to explore whether the state can recover any money made by Windsor as a result of these offences.
