AN Ipswich cannabis user who grew drugs in his converted loft has been sentenced.

AN Ipswich cannabis user who grew drugs in his converted loft has been sentenced.

Kevin Owlett had converted his loft into a cannabis nursery by installing foil and plastic sheeting, ventilation and electrics from a lower floor. Police discovered 22 young plants in the 52-year-old's loft space.

Andrea Reynolds, prosecuting at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court said: “Whilst not quite a factory, it was sophisticated enough for a gentleman on benefits.”

Owlett, of Buddleia Close, pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis.

Ian Duckworth, mitigating, said his client's pre-sentence report written by probation suggested that a curfew would be an apt punishment but he argued that this would not address Owlett's drug use.

He added that unemployed Owlett played pool for a local league, his team was “doing quite well” and a curfew would interfere with this.

Mr Duckworth said Owlett was currently under probation supervision once a month and this could be increased to once a week for his offence.

Magistrates' placed Owlett on a two month curfew from 7pm to 7am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday's.

Owlett's supervision would increase to weekly appointments and he was told to pay £60 towards court costs out of his incapacity benefit. An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis plants and drug growing paraphernalia.