A MAN was lucky to escape jail after growing an estimated £20,000 worth of cannabis in his Moldgreen home.

Paul McDermott had been warned that he faced prison after admitting producing the class B drug in his converted garage.

But the 33-year-old was handed a community sentence after his solicitor told magistrates how he had grown the drug to combat his health problems.

Kirklees magistrates were told that on October 8 police searched McDermott’s house in Bellcote Drive.

They discovered eight small cannabis plants in the garage, which had been converted into a music studio with soundproof walls.

Police found two further growing sections at the back of the garage, behind a further wall.

These contained two large cannabis plants as well as five medium-sized plants and some growing equipment.

The plants were examined by a drugs expert, the Huddersfield bench was told.

Clare Benson, prosecuting, said: “There is a £19,000 to £20,000 estimated street value for the cannabis found.

“The defendant admitted producing the cannabis and said he watched a video on the internet on how to grow them.”

Magistrates heard that McDermott had 12 offences on his record, including a conviction for possession of and supplying drugs.

Mike Sisson-Pell, mitigating, disagreed with the police valuation of the cannabis as the plants found were at different stages of growth.

He added that his client was growing the drug in batches for his own personal use.

Magistrates were told that McDermott had previously been addicted to heroin and that this had left him with health problems.

Mr Sisson-Pell said: “Because of this long drugs misuse he has serious problems with his legs.

“He has serious pain which the medical profession has struggled to control and so he takes cannabis for pain relief“.”

Magistrates sentenced McDermott to a 12-month community order, made as a direct alternative to custody.

The bench also ordered the destruction of the drugs and equipment and ordered McDermott to pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.