POLICE called to a domestic incident immediately smelled cannabis when they attended a Darwen address.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Robert Michael Cotton was keen to speak to the officers on the street but they insisted on going inside where they discovered a cannabis production unit in an upstairs bedroom.

Cotton, 29, of Snape Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and abstracting electricity illegally.

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He was made subject to community supervision for six months with a 28-day rehabilitation requirement, a curfew between 7pm and 7am and was ordered to pay a £150 criminal court charge and £85 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the police discovered 10 plants in cultivation and estimated that the street value of the cannabis was about £4,000.

Cotton told the officers he used cannabis because it helped with his depression and helped him to sleep.

Paul Huxley, defending, said the cannabis had all been for his client’s own use.

“Someone else had bypassed the electricity but he accepts he had taken advantage of that situation,” said Mr Huxley.