BACK injury victim Kevin Duda grew thousands of pounds worth of cannabis vegetation to alleviate his pain.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard police raided his home in Wharf Road, Biddulph.

Officers found two bags containing 3.8 grams of vegetation worth £20, a small bag containing 0.62 grams of cannabis worth £5 and three jars with 153 grams of cannabis vegetation worth £875.

A further search revealed a cannabis growing system in a back bedroom.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt said there were 22 large plants and nine small plants.

The court heard the yield of the plants would have been about 800 grams with an approximate street value of £4,570. A further £590 cash was found.

Duda, aged 56, pleaded guilty to two charges of producing cannabis on the basis it was for his own use.

Joanne Wallbanks, defending, said Duda had open heart surgery and had suffered a stroke, spinal arthritis and a collapsed vertebrae. "The collapsed vertebrae caused him the most pain. He found cannabis benefited it immensely."

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones sentenced Duda to six months in prison, suspended for two years, with 18 months' supervision. He also ordered him to pay £5,390 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.