A DAD growing cannabis in his garden shed made more than £40,000 from drug dealing.

Justin Kehely, 45, from Tredegar, was handed a suspended jail sentence earlier this year, and was back in court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how the defendant benefited by £40,748.09, but has just £1,542.23 available which can be seized by the state.

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Judge Niclas Parry said that amount was already in the hands of the police.

But he added he had to make a confiscation order that Kehely transfer the money within a month or face 14 days in prison in default.

The defendant must also pay a £140 victim surcharge.

During Kehely’s sentencing hearing in February, it was revealed how he was caught using an industrial pressing machine to make cannabis pouches in his garden shed during a police raid.

Thomas Stanway, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court how the defendant was cultivating a crop with a potential street value of £8,000.

Officers also found more than 200g of cannabis at Kehely’s house which was worth £1,620.

Mr Stanway said: “He was supplying cannabis to a number of users.”

The defendant, of Bevan Avenue, Tredegar, pleaded guilty to producing and possessing the class B drug with intent to supply.

The offences were committed on October 23, 2019.

Jeffrey Jones, mitigating, said father-of-two Kehely had been assessed as posing a low risk of reoffending by the Probation Service.

His barrister said the defendant acted as a carer for his elderly parents and was suffering from a serious spinal condition and depression.

Mr Jones added: “He has no relevant previous convictions. He is shaking like a leaf in the dock. He is fearful of his fate.”

The court was told the defendant became addicted to cannabis as a teenager but was not free of the drug.

The judge, Recorder IWL Jones, told Kehely: “Controlled drugs are a serious problem in society. They destroy lives.

“It is sad to see someone of your age in the dock.”

He said he was just about able to hold back from sending the defendant straight into custody.

Kehely was jailed for eight months, suspended for two years.

He was ordered to complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.