AN addict who was growing cannabis worth £26,000 told police it was all for his own use – and he was surprised at how successful he had been.

Burnley Crown Court heard that Alex Robinson, 22, was found cultivating 11 ‘huge’ plants in a large front bedroom when police went to his home in Bath Street, Nelson, on February 15.

The plants were under eight high-powered lights and had fans, irrigation, power packs and venting and were six feet tall.

A forensic scientist estimated the yield of the crop was likely to have been 2.62 kilos, worth £26,000 on the streets.

The crown contended that, even with his heavy addiction, it would have been difficult for the defendant to use it all.

The prosecution alleged that Robinson would have sold some of the drugs, although the sophisticated set-up was not primarily an enterprise for profit.

The defendant, who was not legally represented, claimed it was a good hobby. He told the hearing he didn’t agree that he would have sold cannabis.

Robinson admitted producing cannabis and had been committed for sentence by magistrates.

He was given a community order with 12 months supervision and a drugs rehabilitation requirement.