IPSWICH: A cannabis grower who tried to blame a traveller for a drug factory found at his girlfriend’s home is to be sentenced next month.

Colin Heffer, of Kipling Road, Ipswich, was found guilty at the town’s crown court of producing the Class B drug, and abstracting electricity. The 40-year-old had denied the charges, saying threats had been made against him and his family if he told police about the drugs at his on-off partner’s home.

A jury heard police officers raided an outbuilding at The Stables in Thurleston Lane and discovered 169 cannabis plants in August last year.

Officers also found the electricity supply to the premises had been tampered with and discovered �7,000 cash in a coolbag in a kitchen cupboard.

Giving evidence, Heffer claimed he had rented the outbuilding to a traveller who had been living at the West Meadows travellers’ site.

Heffer said he would not have rented it out had he known drugs were involved. He told the court he had found the plants shortly before the police raid.

However, he claimed the traveller and his friend had threatened him and his family if he told police.

Heffer’s former girlfriend, Pearl Calver, 39, of Stables Cottage, Thurleston Lane, Ipswich, was acquitted of the same charges.

Calver, a psychiatric nurse at St Clement’s Hospital, chose not to give evidence. But during police interviews she said she had no idea about what was going on.

Heffer was released on bail following his conviction.

He is due to return to court for sentencing on September 5.