Grew cannabis to '˜medicate himself'

Peter Moran, of The Old Fort, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and possession of the class B drug.

The offences were committed between December 2012 and July 2015.

The local Magistrate’s Court heard police were conducting enquiries about the whereabouts for a man wanted for arrest.

They received information that he may be at an address in Strathfoyle and went to Moran’s home.

He allowed police to check his property and when they entered the roof space they discovered equipment for growing cannabis.

This included electrical items and hydroponics.

Police also discovered 300 grams worth of cannabis with a street value of £6,000.

During police interview, Moran admitted possessing the drugs.

A defence barrister told the court the 34-year-old grew the cannabis for ‘medicinal purposes’.

She said Moran was in a car accident in 2006 and sustained an injury which required 21 pins to be inserted in his hip.

The barrister told the court her client suffered ‘unbearable pain’ as a result and used cannabis to medicate himself.

Suspending a six month sentence for two years, Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop granted a destruction order for the drugs.