A woman used her girlfriend’s cafe to grow thousands of pounds worth of cannabis after the business got into debt during lockdown.

Lisa Wasley, 36, was caught out after firefighters were called to a blaze at the De Ja Vu diner in Roseneath Street, Leeds, on July 24, 2021. When the fire service became aware of the cannabis farm, officers from West Yorkshire Police were then called to the premises.

Prosecutor Louise Pryke told Leeds Crown Court on Friday: “They found 75 plants and that the electricity had been bypassed. It was a professional set up with lamps, a water reservoir and ventilation. The total amount of cannabis was 4.13kg with a wholesale value of between £12,000 and £24,000. The street value was between £35,000 and £41,000.” The diner belonged to Wasley’s partner, Claire Webb, 42.

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Officers then went to the couple’s home in Wyther Park Mount, Armley, where they found yet more plants. Ms Pryke told the court: “At the house was 10 plants, chemicals, equipment, scales and dealer bags. The total yield was 0.55g with a street value of £5,500. Lisa Wasley said the cannabis farm was hers and said the plants in the basement [of the cafe], Clare Webb was unaware of and they were mainly for herself but if someone asked for £30 worth she would sell it.

“She stated the scales were to weigh up others so she could make sue she wasn’t getting ripped off. She said the electric was bypassed but someone else did that but refused to name them.”

Wasley told police it had taken three weeks to grow the plants in the cafe and a week for those at the house. She said she did not make any money from it.