A FATHER- of-two rigged his electricity meter to get free power to run a cannabis farm in a bedroom at his Rowley Regis home, putting his children at risk, a court heard.

Meckel Sterling was running his cannabis growing operation when there were children in the house, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Judge Michael Challinor said: "This was a small but effective cannabis growing operation.”

He added: "You were also abstracting electricity which is dangerous. It can cause fire, serious injury and death can follow."

Sterling, of Harvest Road, was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months after admitting producing the controlled drug, possessing cannabis and abstracting electricity.

The 34-year-old, who had a record for cannabis-related offences, was also placed on supervision for a year and ordered to pay £1,269 compensation to British Gas for the power he illegally obtained.

David Lees, prosecuting, said police found cannabis plants growing inside a tent in a bedroom, 15 smaller plants in a second room and a quantity of cannabis.