POLICE, who carried out a drugs raid at the home of an Ipswich man, found a "little kitchen garden" of cannabis plants, it is alleged.Thirty-six cannabis plants were seized at the home of 50-year-old Reay Wales of Vincent Close, Ipswich, the Town's Crown Court heard.

POLICE who carried out a drugs raid at the home of an Ipswich man found a "little kitchen garden" of cannabis plants, it is alleged.

Thirty-six of the plants were seized at the home of Reay Wales, 50, of Vincent Close, Ipswich, the town's Crown Court heard.

After his arrest Wales, who claims he suffers from a number of ailments including an aggressive form of arthritis and pancreatitis, told officers he was growing the cannabis for his own pain relief.

He said he preferred to smoke cannabis rather than take morphine given to him by his doctor.

Rupert Overbury, prosecuting, said Wales was a recreational user of cannabis and smoked it because he liked smoking it. Wales has denied producing cannabis in July last year.

Mr Overbury said officers who executed a search warrant under the misuse of drugs act at Wales's home found a "little kitchen garden" of cannabis plants in an upstairs bedroom.

"It was a reasonably sophisticated operation," he said.

The walls of the room had been lined with silver foil, strong lights and timers had been fitted, and the cannabis plants were in pots.

Wales had told officers: "You can't do me for anything, it's just my puff."

Sgt Victoria Williams said that as she climbed the stairs she noticed a strong smell of cannabis.

She said Wales's mother, who lived at the same address, told officers her son had described the plants he was growing as orchids.

The trial continues.