AN ISLE of Wight man was caught growing 13 large cannabis plants in his garden for his own personal use.
Christopher Bowden, of Kingslea Park, East Cowes, appeared before a judge at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday, February 27.
At a previous hearing in December, the 48-year-old admitted producing cannabis and possession of cannabis, in East Cowes, on September 5 last year.
Prosecutor, Tim Devlin, said police attended Bowden’s home in East Cowes after being tipped off by Sovereign Housing Association.
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He said officers could see cannabis plants which had grown to over six feet tall by looking over Bowden’s garden fence, and when they searched his address, they found 13 large plants in total – ten in a greenhouse, with three potted alongside them.
Mr Devlin said officers also found a bag of dried cannabis in Bowden’s property.
The court heard the offences were committed while Bowden was on a suspended sentence order, imposed back in December 2023 – an 11-month jail term, suspended for two years.
Mr Devlin said Bowden claimed the cannabis was for his own personal use – but a substantial amount was being grown.
Judge David Melville suggested Bowden was creating his own little supply chain for himself and might not be a competent gardener when it comes to chopping down plants once they reach maturity.
Nate Lara, defending, said the production was not even weighed and the yield was not calculated.
He said there was no evidence to suggest anything other than personal use.
Mr Lara said Bowden was entirely compliant when police arrived.
Bowden, who had ten previous convictions for 22 offences, was handed an 18-month community order, to include 15 rehabilitation days.
He was also made subject of a three-month curfew order, between 7pm and 7am.
His suspended sentence was not activated.
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