A MAN turned to drug dealing after allegations he murdered an employee destroyed his business, a court was told.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard detectives investigating the death of Lee Balkwell – found dead in a cement mixer 12 years ago – discovered a sophisticated cannabis factory capable of generating £55,000 a year of high-strength “skunk” in the home of Simon Bromley.

Bromley, 45, of Baldwins Farm, Dennises Lane, South Ockendon, was jailed for three years on Tuesday for cultivating cannabis.

His barrister, Peter Rowlands said Bromley had turned to cannabis and cocaine to deal with the trauma of his friend Lee’s death and accusations he murdered him.

Mr Rowlands said: “If you go back to 2002, here was a man, 33, happily settled with a common lawpartner, a son aged six and a daughter aged two. But the events were deeply traumatising for him to have to deal with.

“His business suffered and work began to ebb away. He began smoking cannabis, drinking heavily and began using cocaine as a way of coping with stress. Bear in mind that within the first year following the death, a campaign began to accuse Mr Bromley of murder.

“It has been a persistent, relentless campaign, which shows no sign of an end to this day.”

Details of the cannabis farm emerged as Bromley was due to be sentenced for health and safety breaches which contributed to the death of Mr Balkwell, 33, who became trapped between the drum and chassis of a cement mixer in July 2002 at Baldwins Farm, as he was cleaning it.

Bromley was cleared of manslaughter on Monday after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, but found guilty of failing to ensure the health and safety of his employee, Mr Balkwell.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis after detectives found two rooms of his bungalow were being used to grow 46 plants.

The court heard when the cannabis was discovered Bromley was still on licence after being released in March 2009 from an eightyear sentence received in September 2006 for conspiring to supply cocaine.

He was part of a drug and arms dealing gang caught by a major undercover police operation and ordered to pay £210,000, reduced to £48,000 on appeal, of which £22,000 is outstanding.

Mr Rowlands said the cannabis farm was set up to clear this debt, as he only earned £157 a week as an odd job man for dad David Bromley, 68, of Baldwins Farm, who was also jailed for three years as part of the cocaine gang.

Bromley admitted growing the drug to sell, but denied a second charge of possession with intent to supply, which will lie on file.

He will be sentenced for the health and safety offence, which can only be a fine, after a court inquiry into his financial affairs.