Man admits YouTube cannabis boast

Man admits YouTube cannabis boast
Wednesday, March 04, 2009, 10:00
A DRUG user caught after posting videos of his cannabis factory on YouTube under his real name and date of birth has been fined £275 .
Shane Burfield, 25, used the website to upload a string of film clips charting the growth of his £500 cannabis bush.
But instead of posting them anonymously the unemployed crook proudly displayed his name, date of birth and home town beside the footage.
Police received an anonymous tip-off and were able to trace his name to an address in Bridgwater.
When they raided the house they found a 5ft plant and specialist hydroponics equipment used to grow it.Yesterday Burfield pleaded guilty to cultivation and possession of cannabis at Sedgemoor Magistrates Court in Bridgwater.
Magistrate Alan Webb said: "I would hope that you go away from this court a little more sober and thoughtful and that you have stopped growing cannabis."
Donna Newton-Smith, prosecuting, said: "Allegations surfaced that Mr Burfield was cultivating cannabis at his home address.
"That information was received initially from an anonymous informant.
"However, it was then discovered Mr Burfield had taken videos of his hydroponic equipment over six months.
"Mr Burfield had used his own name as the user name and his own date of birth on his YouTube account."
The court heard when police raided Burfield's home on February 18, they found a cannabis plant with an estimated street value of £500.
They also uncovered specialist hydroponics equipment inside a "grow tent" in a bedroom of the flat and 0.8 grammes of skunk cannabis in his pocket.
During a police interview Burfield admitted cloning an "AK47" breed of cannabis plant from that of a friend in Devon and being a "heavy cannabis user".
He claimed he began growing and filming the plant in November 2008 and was due to begin harvesting it three weeks after the police raid.
The unemployed 25-year-old, who lives with his girlfriend and receives £125 incapacity benefits a week, claimed it was intended for personal use and not for sale.
Speaking outside court, he said: "I put the videos on YouTube because I saw other plants on there and wanted other growers to see what I was doing.
"I had over 300 comments on the videos and thousands of hits from people all over the world interested in growing – it was kind of like a hobby.
"It was a big surprise when the old bill came knocking on my door with two riot vans.
"Thinking about it, it was pretty silly to put my name on there. I've definitely learned my lesson – next time I won't be putting it on YouTube."
Burfield was fined £120 for cultivating cannabis, £80 for possession, £60 in court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
He ordered the plant, hydroponics equipment and cannabis found in his pocket to be destroyed.