Erald Tafa admits producing cannabis in Kilbirnie home

Erald Tafa was warned that "all sentencing options remain open" when he pleaded guilty to the crime at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

Tafa, who is understood to be Albanian, admitted producing a controlled drug from a property in the town's Barony Terrace on October 12, 2023.

The 27-year-old, presently a prisoner at HMP Kilmarnock, was described as a first offender, and as a result his defence solicitor suggested to the court that it would be appropriate for background reports to be prepared before Tafa is sentenced.

Procurator fiscal depute Alexander Fraser said he was unable to provide an agreed written narrative of the circumstances around the offence, but said he was in a position to provide a verbal account.

But Sheriff Sheena Fraser said that as she was willing to defer sentence for background reports, she would not hear a narrative on this occasion.

The fiscal depute did, however, disclose that 88 fully mature cannabis plants were discovered at the property, along with 120 seedlings.

The fully mature plants, Mr Fraser said, could fetch a high-end value of £52,800, with the lower end value being described as £17,600.

The value of the seedlings was stated as £600.

After deferring sentence, Sheriff Fraser told Tafa: "It is being suggested to me that an agreed narrative is provided the next time this case calls.

“Before I can reach a concluded view on the appropriate sentence here, standing the serious nature of the charge you have pleaded guilty to and lack of previous convictions, I require a full background report on you.

“I will call for reports, which will be prepared by a criminal justice social worker, who will be in touch with you.

“I am calling for the report and, for completeness, a restriction of liberty order assessment, but you should understand all options are open to me in terms of sentencing.”

Tafa, who will be sentenced next month, was remanded in custody until then.