A SMALLHOLDER who ran a “farm shop”, growing and selling cannabis has failed to persuade the country’s most senior judge to cut his jail term on appeal.

Paul Fisher, 50, was found with more than 250 cannabis plants at his rented Brightlingsea farm.

He also had his pockets full of amphetamines when the police arrested him in June last year.

Officers stumbled on the drugs operation while carrying out a routine check of the farmhouse.

Fisher, who has since moved to John Dyde Close, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, was jailed for four years and one month, after he admitted producing cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of amphetamine and failing to surrender to bail on May 18.

Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, Mrs Justice Rafferty and Mr Justice Henriques, sitting at the Criminal Appeal Court, in London heard his appeal against the court’s original sentence.

Fisher’s lawyers argued he should have been sentenced as a mere “gardener” who was looking after the plants, not as an “organiser”.

However, Lord Judge said: “He was the owner of a farm shop, carrying out the cultivation at home and disposing of his produce.

“He has a very bad previous record of offences involving drugs, with which this appellant has been involved for most of his life.

“This sentence was within the appropriate range, so this appeal must be dismissed.”