A 28-year-old man has been given a nine-month jail sentence after breaking into a cannabis factory with a large knife and stealing the plants.

Before Ipswich Crown Court via video link was Alex Gibb of Clapham Road North, Lowestoft, who previously admitted conspiracy to burgle and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

The court heard he engaged in a “daft scheme” with co conspirator Charlie Souter which involved flying a drone around with an infra-red camera attached.

The camera was being used to highlighted cannabis factories, which tend to have unusually high heat signatures compared to surrounding areas. 

However, the court heard police arrested Souter and went through his phone which revealed videos of Gibb inside the factory with a 'Rambo' knife.

Souter will be sentenced at a later date.

There were other videos which showed the defendant throwing plants down a flight of stairs and bagging them up.

There were also videos on the phone showing Gibb in a car with cannabis.

It was not clear if there were multiple factories or a single area that was burgled.

His defence barrister, Jude Durr, emphasised Gibb was “clumsy amateur burglar” and added he was very intellectually immature.

“This was two young men thinking they had hit upon criminal genius but when one steps back it is anything but that,” Mr Durr said.    

The court heard Gibb had spent periods of his life homeless.

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley gave the defendant nine months in prison.