An astonishing photograph depicts a man who participated in the cultivation of a cannabis farm inside a house attempting to evade the police by hiding on the roof.
Etmond Lika, 32, who had no permanent residence, entered the Liverpool home through a skylight and perched unsteadily on the roof, with a police officer poking his head through the window below.
Lika pleaded guilty to one charge of involvement in the production of cannabis and appeared via video link at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.
According to the court, the man from Albania who had crossed the English Channel in a small boat last year had been offered £100 a day to reside in the property where the cannabis farm was being grown. In February, police caught him with at least 200 cannabis plants.
Yesterday, Lika appeared in Liverpool Crown Court via video link and pleaded guilty to one charge of involvement in the production of cannabis. He has now been sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
According to prosecutor Christopher Hopkins, a locksmith was hired to change the front door lock at an address in Kirkdale on February 24. The locksmith thought he saw a cannabis growing installation and called the police.
When the police arrived, they found a sophisticated operation with over 200 cannabis plants spread across six rooms. The police found evidence that someone had been living there and believed it was Lika. Lika attempted to hide from the police by climbing through a skylight and onto the roof of the property but was eventually caught and arrested. Hopkins stated that Lika had been employed by someone to manage the installation.
Lika initially denied being involved but eventually admitted to coming to the UK via a boat across the channel in September of the previous year in the hope of finding better economic opportunities. Lika paid 5000 euros (£4,400) for the trip, but the Crown had no other information about him. Lika was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
He said: ‘Lika must have been motivated by some significant financial advantage and must have understood what was going on in the house.’
No prior criminal records were found for Lika in the UK, and no foreign criminal records were provided.
During the trial, Olivia Beesley, the defense counsel, revealed that Lika was offered £100 per day to stay at the residence and came to the UK from Albania seeking better economic opportunities. She acknowledged that Lika should have pursued proper channels to work in the UK.
‘He simply wishes to receive his sentence with grace and understands he must be punished for this kind of offending.’ According to the defense lawyer, Olivia Beesley, the defendant has requested an English Language course while in custody. She also mentioned that he was homeless for a week before committing the offense.
According to Ms. Beesley, Lika claimed to have no prior convictions in Albania. However, Judge Brian Cummings KC expressed his skepticism, noting that many cases of this kind involve individuals with January 1 birthdays and that little is known about Lika’s background.
He also mentioned that during the police interview, Lika continuously changed his story. The judge ultimately sentenced Lika to two years and four months in prison, and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and equipment. Additionally, Lika is required to pay a victim surcharge.