Illegal migrant complained UK prison food gave him "horrendous" piles.

An illegal migrant locked up after being arrested working at a cannabis factory has complained of his "horrendous time" behind bars, claiming he developed haemorrhoids due to the poor quality of UK prison food. Klodion Bicaku said he already had a kidney infection and asthma but the cuisine he has had while in custody added piles to his range of health problems.

Bicaku, who entered the UK illegally in 2022 and now faces deportation, was caught inside a three-bedroom terraced house in the plush Newcastle suburb of Gosforth, where a £36,000 cannabis farm was growing in the conservatory and bedrooms on May 23. The 26-year-old, was remanded in custody and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, via video link to HMP Durham, where he admitted producing cannabis and possessing a false identity document. Nicoletta Alistari, prosecuting, said Bicaku was a "gardener" at the illegal drug farm, which could have produced up to £36,000 worth of the drug, and he had told police he used the fake ID card to buy "cigarettes and Red Bull."

Joe Hedworth, defending, said Bicaku's role in the cannabis farm was to water and prune the plants in exchange for a "tiny" amount of cash for food.

Mr Hedworth said since being remanded in custody Bicaku has had a "horrendous" time with his health and added: "He has been very ill. He had a kidney infection, breathing problems, asthma.

"As a result of the quality of the food in the prison he has had haemorrhoids, which have been horrendous to deal with.

"His time in prison has not been easy at all."

The court heard how Bicaku borrowed £15,000 from people in his homeland to be smuggled across continents arriving in the UK via Gran Canaria. He came just weeks before police smashed an organised crime gang operation smuggling Albanians into the UK via Spanish ports.

Mr Hedworth said: "I asked how he is to repay that money. Quite candidly, he said he can't and is quite concerned about the safety of himself and members of his family when he inevitably can't repay that money on his return home."

Prosecutors accept that the fake ID document would not have been suitable for travel between countries.

Mr Hedworth told the court: "In larger shops, because of his obvious foreign status, ID is required just to serve him with Red Bulls and cigarettes.

"There is no suggestion it had been used to, for example obtain a driving licence, travel or anything of that nature."

The court heard Bicaku has signed a declaration, during an interview with Home Office officials, so he will be removed from the country as soon as he is permitted to leave.

Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced him to eight months behind bars.