A man who grew cannabis in his Ipswich home has been given a community order.

Martin Abbott, of Leighton Road, pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court to producing the Class B drug.

Prosecutor Lesla Small said police executed a search warrant at the 45-year-old’s home on October 7.

They found 15 cannabis plants in a rear bedroom which were around 2ft high.

Ms Small said there was also paraphenalia to help the plants grow.

After his arrest Abbott told police had grown a previous crop from seeds which he bought from a man in a pub.

The second crop had been grown from the seeds produced by the first set of plants.

The court heard Abbott told officers the cannabis he had grown was for his personal use.

Magistrates were told he uses Class A drugs and spends £30 to £40 on them.

It was said Abbott uses speed and cannabis. In addition he had been a heroin user, but is currently on the drug’s substitute methadone.

Ms Small said Abbott has previous convictions and was also given a caught for producing cannabis in 1997.

Magistrates sentenced Abbott to 40 hours’ unpaid work as part of a community order. He must also undertake an activity rehabilitation requirement.

In addition Abbott must pay £85 costs and £60 to the victims’ fund.