A bogus asylum invader from China, claiming that he fled his country “because he is a Christian”, Bin Wu, 23, has been jailed for setting up a cannabis factory in a house in Overstone, Northamptonshire.

When raided by police, the property was vacant but was being used as a nursery for plants. The garage was filled with plants and officers found the electricity had been diverted.

Matthew Maynard, prosecuting at Northampton Crown Court, said a total of 518 plants were found along with a ventilation and watering system. As well as Wu’s fingerprints, which he had left in three separate locations, those of three other men were also found.

Yong Lin, 31, who was brought into this country on a forged passport, left his fingerprints on one of the extractor fans and was jailed for 18 months in June. Two other men whose fingerprints were also inside the property are still being hunted by police.

Wu, of Culverton Road in West London, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of class C drugs between June 2007 and January. Judge Thomas Corrie said: “You pleaded guilty at an early opportunity to a serious offence which is very common in this country.”

Rosa Dean, mitigating, said Wu had been paid £150 for a day’s work to help set up the factory but had played no part in growing the cannabis plants.

She said: “He came here in 2005 and is seeking asylum because he is a Christian to escape persecution for his beliefs.”