Michelle Perry and Joshua Nicholls to be sentenced for drug offences in Adelaide court

The secrets of a weed-growing mother and her drug-dealing son have been exposed after neighbours tipped police off about a dope crop.

Joshua Nicholls and Michelle Perry pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday to separate marijuana offences. Pictures: Facebook

A weed-growing mother and her drug-dealing son have faced court after neighbours tipped police off about the marijuana crop growing next door to them.

Michelle Sandra Lesley Perry, 38, led son and dad-to-be, Joshua Nicholls, 20, “down the wrong path” after he was also charged with drug offences, following her illegal crop being uncovered.

A police prosecutor told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday that police attended Perry and Nicholl’s address on March 12 after receiving reports that a marijuana crop was growing on the premises.

“The defendant’s house was searched and police located 10 mature cannabis plants growing throughout the rear yard,” the police prosecutor said.

“Police attended a granny flat at the rear of the premises, which is where Mr Nicholls resides.”

Joshua Nicholls and Michelle Perry pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday to drug offences. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

The court heard police found plastic clipseal bags, electronic scales, knuckle dusters and bongs.

“Police searched his vehicle and located 28g of cannabis in his glove box,” the police prosecutor said.

“A search of his phone showed that there was text messages and Facebook messages consistent with the defendant being involved in the buying and selling of cannabis, along with photos of him posing in front of the cannabis plants.”

Nicholls told police the knuckledusters belonged to a friend and that he hadn’t been selling his mother’s plants but buying elsewhere.

“He made full admissions to buying dried cannabis and reselling it,” the police prosecutor said.

“He said he and the co-defendant had been cultivating cannabis for about four or five months.”

Perry pleaded guilty to cultivating more than the prescribed number of cannabis plants.

Nicholls pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and possessing a prohibited weapon.

The court heard Perry, who is a mother-of-six, had cut down her marijuana usage since the incident.

Bradley Dittmar, for Perry, told the court his client had been growing the crop for personal use.

“She and her partner have been long term users of cannabis,” Mr Dittmar said.

“Unfortunately she has led her eldest son down the wrong path as well.

“It wasn’t an elaborate set up at all – I understand the neighbours tipped off police, I suppose it was quite obvious, the neighbours would have smelt the plants.”

Mr Dittmar, also for Nicholls, told the court Nicholls had recently gained employment.

“He and his partner are expecting their first child in April this year,” he said.

“In respect to each of them, it has been a wake up call.”

Magistrate Jayne Basheer adjourned sentencing until next week.