A GREEN fingered Buckland Brewer man who grew an estimated £4,115 worth of cannabis has escaped jail.

North Devon Magistrates' Court heard Jason Paul Symons was experimenting when he attempted to grow the drug in his Oakwood home in the village.

For the defence, Tony Dart, said agricultural worker Symons lived a modest life with his family and cannabis had been his poison.

He said: "He thought he would have a stab at growing some himself and he was quite lucky.

"He accepts he must be green fingered.

"It was his first time, it was just an experiment. Sadly cannabis growing is almost a cottage industry in North Devon, a lot of people do it."

Police raided the 39-year-old's home on Saturday, June 26 and he immediately showed officers four cannabis plants he was growing.

However, the court heard the continued search of his home revealed an entrance to a cannabis growing room concealed by hay bales.

Symons, who has been using cannabis for 20 years said his aim was to avoid using drug dealers and to be able to ensure he knew what he was smoking.

Mr Dart disputed the street value of the drug and said Symons had a modest habit and the yield would have kept him supplied for six months.

For the prosecution, Mark Haddow, said police found nothing to indicate Symons was running a commercial operation despite the find of 1.26 kilos with the estimate street value of £4,115.26.

Magistrate Susan Poxon told Symons she could send him to prison because of the amount involved.

However, he was sentenced to 200 hours unpaid work and a £85 fine.

She ordered the drugs and growing equipment be forfeited and destroyed.

He apologised for wasting the court's time and thanked magistrates for not sending him to prison.