Keighley businessman grew cannabis in World War 2 Air raid shelter – Shufqat Khan defends
Park Square BarristersA Keighley businessman who hid an extremely sophisticated cannabis factory in a World War Two air raid shelter was jailed for 2 years at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.
Garry Hodgkinson, set up the secret operation when his stone-masonry business hit hard times.
Shufqat Khan represented Mr Hodgkinson at the sentence hearing.
In mitigation Mr Khan said his client was a man of impeccable character who had been a pillar of the business community for three decades – but his company had suffered due to changing trading conditions and imports of cheaper stone.
Although the defendant did not sell any cannabis it’s street value was nearly £90,000.
Judge Durham Hall QC accepted there was no evidence Hodkinson sold the drugs but said “you clearly were prepared…with a view to continuing financial profits”
Media coverage:
Shufqat Khan is a senior and specialist defence advocate in our Criminal Team – to book him or for further information please contact one his Clerks:
Andrew Thornton on 0113 213 5202
Rebecca Wilson on 0113 213 5203
Hannah Dempsey on 0113 213 5211
Elaine Foster-Morgan on 0113 213 5217