Bideford labourer grew cannabis to help relieve back pain

A FORMER labourer with a bad back grew cannabis to help cope with the pain, a court heard.

Jared Yates, 32, was charged with producing and possessing £4,000 worth of cannabis in his home.

Yates, of 43 High Street, Bideford, appeared before North Devon Magistrates' Court on Friday and admitted two charges of possessing and producing the Class B drug.

Police searched his property on October 15 during a series of raids.

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They discovered 21 cannabis plants growing in the premises in a tent under artificial light.

Initially it was thought the crop could be worth £10,000, although this value was later confirmed to be incorrect.

Tim Hook, for the defence, said Yates had produced the cannabis to help chronic back pain which he has suffered with since 2011.

The injury had been sustained while he was working as a labourer and made it impossible for him to work since.

Mr Hook said Yates had suffered two slipped discs which caused such pain he had been prescribed morphine.

Yates confirmed the cannabis was only for his own use.

Magistrates sentenced Yates to a three month curfew and also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.