A cannabis grower has been jailed after being “too honest for his own good” and virtually talking himself into a prison sentence.

Leon Kerry, of Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich, was given a total of 15 months imprisonment by Ipswich Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to two counts of producing the Class B drug.

The 36-year-old was arrested after police discovered four cannabis plants in a garage he was renting from Natasha Gray in Lakeside Close, Ipswich in August last year.

A further search of Kerry’s home a short distance away in Lakeside Road found 15 more plants being grown in the upstairs of the property.

Neil Saunders, representing Kerry who has previous drug convictions, told the court comments made by defendants in the compilation of a pre-sentence report often seek to minimise what they have done.

However, on this occasion Mr Saunders said: “Mr Kerry certainly didn’t do that.

“It’s a hugely honest report by Mr Kerry in his response to the questions given. If anything they were too honest for his own good.

“He obviously has been using cannabis for some time.”

The solicitor then quoted what Kerry said in the report. The unemployed cannabis grower stated: “To be honest, I can’t see me giving up. I don’t need it. I like it.”.

Mr Saunders subsequently added: “The difficulty is until such time as his attitudes change – and that will require some time – he’s going to continue to smoke cannabis. There we have it.”

Sentencing Kerry Recorder Ian Evans told him: “You clearly committed to a life on cannabis and its production.

“That’s reflected in your views expressed to the probation officer who described your rigid thinking still, and she believes your attitudes are born our of stubbornness and a reaction to your arrest.

“She believes your risks of re-offending are much higher than any statistical model projects.”

Kerry’s co-accused Gray, now of Newnham Court, Ipswich was said to be at the other end of the spectrum after admitting one offence of being concerned in the production of cannabis.

The judge accepted the 30-year-old part-time waitress had effectively turned a blind eye to what Kerry had been doing in her garage.

The court had been told Gray did not even possess the key to the garage and that Kerry had it.

Gray was given a 12-month conditional discharge.