AN OLDBURY man is to lose the council home where he grew more than 100 cannabis plants.

The council's anti-social behaviour team, supported by Sandwell Homes and police, have obtained a 28-day possession order against James Coffey, aged 46, of Saladin Avenue.

He was also ordered to pay £3,000 costs. The case was heard at Dudley County Court.

Mr Coffey was sentenced in March at Wolverhampton Crown Court after being convicted at Warley Magistrates Court of producing cannabis at his three-bedroomed council home.

He received a 12-month community order and a 12-month supervision order and was ordered to pay court costs.

The court also heard Mr Coffey, who has lived at the house since 2003, had not allowed Sandwell Homes access to his property to service his gas which left the house in a vulnerable position.

CORGI report that, in respect of gas, 52 per cent of incidents, including fatalities, involving carbon monoxide poisoning are a result of failure to have gas appliances maintained or serviced.

Sandwell Council's application for possession of the property was supported by Sandwell Homes and West Midlands Police. Mr Coffey has until November 2 to vacate the house.

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for safer communities, said: "This is another good result for the council's anti-social behaviour team, working with Sandwell Homes and police, and it shows our commitment to tackling drugs in our community.

"Given the number of plants found, this was clearly a sophisticated set up for producing cannabis."

Brian Oakley, Sandwell Homes chief executive, said: "We will not tolerate drugs in our properties. The vast majority of our tenants are law-abiding, but we will not hesitate to take action against the minority who misuse council homes in this way."