Man grew more than 250 cannabis plants to make his own oil, court hears

Stephen Menton, 54, had managed to grow 256 plants at his home at Station Road, Thornton, Preston Crown Court was told.

Prosecuting, Hanifa Patel said police had attended hios address on January 4, 2017, and a police officer had detailed finding various associated paraphernalia alongside the plants.

She added: " Following his arrest Mr Menton was interviewed.

" He gave an explanation he was growing cannabis for his own personal use.

"He had obtained oil from a chemist to self medicate because he said he was in a great deal of pain."

The defendant hard nothing further until receiving a summons in the post in March 2018, the court heard.

He attended Blackpool Magistrates' Court on April 17 and pleaded guilty to cultivating the 256 plants.

However the value of the yield of cannabis oil has not been estimated.

His defence lawyer Paul Robinson asked for his sentencing to be adjourned and said: "The valuation of the number of plants and likely yield could have a significant impact on his sentence.

Recorder Mukhtar Hussain QC agreed and ordered a pre sentence report.

Menton will now appear on June 27.

He was granted unconditional bail in the meantime.