A DUDLEY father who grew cannabis worth up to £6,000 to ease the pain and discomfort of his medical problems has been placed on Supervision for a year.

When police officers searched the home of 28-year-old Robert Horton they found nine cannabis plants being cultivated in the cellar area – Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

And, when questioned, Horton admitted there had been a previous harvest but he stressed the drugs were all for his personal use.

Judge John Warner told Horton it was an aggravating feature of the case that there were children present in the property.

He said the drugs being grown by Horton had "quite a substantial value" but he stressed the prosecution had accepted they were entirely for his own use.

"I take a realistic view of the situation," added the Judge who said medical reports confirmed Horton had "continuing difficulties”.

Horton, of Terry Street, admitted producing cannabis and was further ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work in the community.

Malcolm Fowler, defending, said Horton - who was also told he must pay £535 costs - told the court he had been in "significant pain".

He said the cultivation of the controlled drug had been a "one man operation" by Horton who used the cannabis.

The Judge, passing sentence, said it was "not a very healthy way to bring up children".