A FATHER-of-five who had to stop working as a supervisor at B&Q because of a crippling knee condition grew cannabis in his shed to help deal with his pain.

Steven Marsh researched how to cultivate the drug on the internet, then turned his shed into a mini cannabis farm, Bolton Magistrates’ Court heard.

Police raided his home in Aldercroft Avenue, Top o’ th’ Brow, at around 12.30pm on February 21.

The defendant, who admitted growing the cannabis plants, told police there were no drugs inside the house where he lived with his five children and partner, but said there were drugs in his shed.

Police found five plants, each around 2ft high.

Howard Sloane, prosecuting, told the court: “They were being produced by the defendant. He said he had been smoking cannabis for over 20 years for pain relief and that he learnt to grow cannabis on the internet,”

When he was interviewed by police he told them that he got the seeds from a “grow shop,” adding: “I just put them under a light in the shed. It’s for my own personal use.”

Marsh said he would water the plants, which took between two and three weeks to get to that size.

The court heard Marsh had a previous conviction for cultivating cannabis in June last year, for which he received a fine of £115.

Adam Whittaker, defending, said Marsh had suffered from Osgood-Schlatter's disease from the age of 16 which causes pain and swelling in the knees.

“It leaves him in a lot of pain and affects him being able to walk long distances and carrying loads,” said Mr Whittaker.

He said it was a form of “self-medication” because over the years the defendant had been prescribed with “every form of pain relief there is” and he still had problems.

Mr Whittaker said the defendant was a former supervisor at B&Q but was now unable to work and was on incapacity benefit.

He said he had “to open his eyes” to alternative forms of pain relief.

“He has been told about the long term side affects of cannabis and it’s a risk he has chosen to take over the years,” added Mr Whittaker.

Marsh was given a six month community order, with supervision from the Probation Service, and was ordered to pay £85 costs.