A 33-year-old Keighley man who grew cannabis to help his severe back pain has been ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Police Community Support Officers passing David Booth’s flat in Church Street detected a strong smell of the drug, and 24 cannabis plants were seized, Bradford Crown Court heard last Wednesday. Prosecutor Alisha Kaye said the plants had a potential street value of £11,580.

Nigel Hamilton, barrister for Booth, said he had no previous convictions. He was a voluntary worker and used the drug to help ease his back pain. He did not grow it for commercial reasons, but may have sold any surplus to friends.

Booth had pleaded guilty to production of cannabis at the first opportunity.