Sutton pot smoker spared jail

Mansfield magistrates were told how Richard Spencer (27), was not present at his house on Byron Avenue when officers discovered 756 grams of the drug on 10 plants between 6-9cm in height.

Daniel Pietryka, prosecuting, said Spencer, a building cladder by trade, had spent £400 on the grow equipment, which included tents and lights.

He added: “The plants had the appearance of cuttings and the defendant said the lights were on 18 hours per day. He had been using cannabis for 13 years.”

Sarah Neale, defending, said Spencer had been candid during his police interview.

She added; “This is the first time Mr Spencer has ever grown cannabis and he seems to have invested in a lot of growing equipment - more than required.”

Ms Neale told magistrates there were in fact only 10 profitable plants at Spencer’s home, which put him in the lower offending category of a domestic operation.

She added: “He has abstained from cannabis use since his arrest and has not been before the courts since 2004.”

Ms Neale told the court how the young father’s ex-partner had now restricted contact with his daughter at weekends.

Spencer has also lost his driving licence after honestly answering questions by the DVLA, who were alerted by the police.

The 27-year-old was given a six-month curfew between 8pm-5am.

He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge, £85 court costs and the cannabis was made subject to a destruction order.