A MAN has been acquitted of producing cannabis after he was found in the same building as 195 plants.

Fatmar Shabani wept in the dock as the jury passed a unanimous not guilty verdict on the charge of producing cannabis against him.

The 55-year-old of no fixed address had been found in a building on Heron Avenue, Wickford on May 3 last year.

Following the discovery of cannabis growing gear, 195 plants worth between £53,000 and £163,000 and living quarters in the building, Mr Shabani was charged with producing cannabis.

He denied the charge, claiming that whilst he was living there, he had no involvement in the production of the drugs and couldn't move away due to the UK lockdown being in place because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The prosecution argued that Mr Shabani's case was "implausible" when the trial opened on Monday at Basildon Crown Court.

However, following a few hours of deliberations, the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.

Crying into a tissue, Mr Shabani was told by Judge Ian Graham that he would be discharged and could walk free from court.

The Judge also thanked the jury for their service and consideration during the trial.

Xhulian Kola, 25, of no fixed address, was also found at the addres, and had admitted producing cannabis before Mr Shabani's trial began.

He will be sentenced at a later date.