A BROMSGROVE businessman who benefited to the tune of nearly £21,000 when he turned to growing cannabis in the recession will have to repay just £10.

Robert Mason, 44, of Sedgefield Walk, was jailed for 14 months in July after admitting production of the drug.

Michael Conry, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court that Mason, who is now out of jail, accepted he had benefited by £20,975 from the cannabis.

But Judge Toby Hooper QC said no more than £10 was now available for him to repay to the criminal justice system, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Mason was told if he did not settle the sum within 28 days he would serve an additional seven days in prison.

“The crown has carefully investigated your circumstances and nothing more is available,” the judge told him.

Michael Anning, defending, said Mason was “anxious” to pay the money as soon as possible.

In July, the court heard that Mason ran into debt and his marriage broke down as his paint spraying business struggled.

He left the family home and rented the house in Sedgefield Walk, where he rewired the double garage, installed a new back door and set it up as a cannabis factory.

Police stopped him in his car outside his home on the evening of January 13 and noticed a strong smell of cannabis, unusually bright lights in the garage, and Mason immediately told them about the 35 plants that were there.

At the earlier hearing, Gerald Bermingham, defending, said Mason had wanted to make sure he could keep on top of his debts, which were between £15,000 and £20,000, and still provide for his wife and their three children.

He had taken the "idiotic and stupid" decision to start growing cannabis, a hybrid skunk variety known as bubblegum or cheese.

He had been running a paint spraying business employing a number of staff but the recession had caused him difficulty and he "hit rock bottom," Mr Bermingham said.