Warsop man’s ‘simply unsustainable’ £200 per week cannabis habit led him to grow drug in garage

Police raided Aaron Kennelly's address on Wood Street and found he was growing 12 cannabis plants, on November 27 last year, said Lucy Woodcock, prosecuting.

The plants were around 3ft-tall and found in a zip-up tent along with electric fans and associated paraphernalia.

He told police he was growing the cannabis for his own personal use.

Paige Tugby, mitigating, said Kennelly, of previous good character, deserved credit for pleading guilty at the first opportunity.

She said he played a "lesser role" because he was smoking £200 of cannabis per week and that was “simply unsustainable”.

“Although he has antecedents, they are very old now - some 14 or 15 years ago,” Ms Tugby added.

"He has taken steps to combat his cannabis use. He has been working with a substance misuse agency. He is the primary carer for his daughter and is in receipt of Universal Credit.”

Kennelly, aged 36, now of Laurel Avenue, Church Warsop, admitted cultivating and possessing a class B drug when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on February 7.

Sentencing was adjourned for probation reports until Tuesday, April 14, when he received a 12-month community order with seven rehabilitation days and 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay a total of £299 in court costs.

"We can see what your motivation is, Mr Kennelly," the presiding magistrate told him. "Unfortunately it is illegal."