A TRAVELLER who grew cannabis plants in his caravan block with a potential value of �11,000 had “no intention to supply the drugs or otherwise profit”, a court heard.

Billy Joe Davis grew the 28 semi-mature plants with the total realisable value for “personal use” because he liked to use it to relax in the evening.

The 30-year-old was also given an eight-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, after police discovered the plants while executing a search warrant at his home in Newbridge Lane, Wisbech on July 1 last year.

Prosecutor Sally Hickling said: “He was fed up of paying cannabis dealers when he could grow it himself.

“The defendant didn’t profit financially from production or supply and there was no evidence to contradict that they were for personal use.”

However the self-employed landscape gardener paid a heavy personal price after the mother of his three children, who are aged five, three and nine months, walked out on him for committing the crime.

Recorder Malcolm Davis-White QC said: “Growing cannabis is a serious matter and normally one is put into custody.

“You’ve been given another chance, make sure you don’t prove us wrong.”

He also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

Davis will have to complete 200 hours of unpaid work as part of the order after he pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug of Class B at Cambridge Crown Court.

Mitigating, Michael Proctor said the drug had an “extremely unpleasant effect on him” as he had taken it to help treat depression.

“Davis’ relationship has ended in disaster as a result of this offence because of his partner’s attitude and her belief that his being around the children is something she didn’t want,” he added.

“It was a very important, integral part of his life and he has paid a personal price.”