A Jobless welder said he grew cannabis to help relieve his pain after being involved in two motorcycle crashes.

John Wood, 38, unemployed, of Allnatt Avenue, Wallingford, was conditionally discharged for 12 months by Didcot magistrates when he admitted producing 11 cannabis plants, a controlled drug, and possessing 11 cannabis plants in pots and containers and dried cannabis leaves.

Shelley Cranshaw, prosecuting, said police with a search warrant turned up at Wood's home at 7.45am on March 4 when he took officers to a shed where they recovered the plants, lights and a propagator.

In the house, they seized dried cannabis leaves, seeds and drugs paraphernalia including a book Marijuana Grower - Inside Guide.

Sophie Harrison, defending, said: "He cultivated the cannabis to relieve chronic pain which he suffers following two motorcycle accidents."

Because of spinal pain, Wood told magistrates he had difficulty in standing or sitting in court and had difficulty walking.

Mrs Harrison said Wood was formerly a fabricator welder although because of his immobility, he may never be able to work again.

He was prescribed "a cocktail of painkillers" by his doctor, but Mrs Harrison told the court Wood claimed that smoking cannabis or using it in tea was more effective than the drugs.

The plants were mainly for his own use, although he did occasionally share it with friends.

She said the equipment Wood used to produce the cannabis was not sophisticated and he did not grow it for commercial use.

Since the police raid he used heroin-based drugs from his doctor.

Wood, who is married with four children, was ordered to pay £35 costs, and magistrates made an order for the destruction of the drugs and equipment.

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