A MAN who grew cannabis worth up to £13,000 has escaped jail after saying he was conned into growing the drug.

Police found 58 cannabis plants in tents in two bedrooms at an address in Woodridge, Windmill Hill Runcorn on February 8.

The plants would have given an estimated yield weighing 1.12-3.36kg – valued at between £5600 and £13,000.

Philip Creasy of Hambleton Close, Hough Green, Widnes pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled class B drug at Warrington Crown Court today.

The 57-year-old said that he was growing the cannabis as he has medical conditions and it eases his pain, but was conned into growing such a big amount of the drug.

Mr Rose, representing Creasy, said: “He has provided an explanation to how it’s happened – in a nut shell he’s saying he was conned.

“He was ignorant about the process and was provided the wherewithal by a group from the local pub.

“After he was arrested he had a visit at his house from these people demanding the stuff back.”

The 58 plants were in an early stage of growth and have been there for approximately five weeks.

Creasy was described as a below average user and that the amount found would have taken an average cannabis user three to nine years to consume.

The prosecution found no evidence of selling.

Sentencing, Recorder Neil Flewitt said: “He’s 57 and hasn’t been in much trouble before.

“You clearly have a number of serious medical issues and in part your offending was motivated by your suffering.”

Creasy was given an eight month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay costs of £350 and to attend a drug rehabilitation programme.

A forfeiture and destruction order was made on the cannabis and drug paraphernalia.