A 30-YEAR-OLD man has been spared jail after cultivating a cannabis farm with the potential value of £8,000.

Burnley Crown Court heard Marc Park, from Hartman Street in Accrington, had cultivated the drugs at his home for personal use.

However he would have intended to sell some of the contents on due to the large amount grown, the court heard.

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker said police carried out a raid at Park's former home in Craven Street, Accrington in December 2016.

He said: "There was immediately a strong smell of cannabis in the attic.

"He would have sold some of the cannabis which he had grown."

At the property officers found 24 cannabis plants along with 257 grams of the drug.

There was also 124 grams of 'wet and decomposing' cannabis at the property, the court heard.

Mr Parker said in total there would have been 500 and 600 grams of usable cannabis, depending on cultivation, with a potential value between £5,300 and £8,000.

Defending, Mark Stuart said Park has not used cannabis since the incident and started using it after suffering health problems.

He also said he had children and urged the judge to allow him to continue his rehabilitation.

Mr Stuart said: "He started taking cannabis when it all got on top of him

"He didn't want to buy it off the street.

"He's decided to stop taking cannabis and started taking the medicine prescribed."

Mr Stuart also said Park only intended to grow the cannabis for personal use, but admitted he would likely have sold some of it due to the unexpectedly large amount which was growing.

The court heard the defendant had no relevant previous convictions, but was fined for criminal damage in 2008.

Park was handed an eight month suspended sentence for cultivating cannabis and a six month suspended sentence running concurrently for possession with intent to supply.

He had pleaded guilty to both offences.

Recorder Ryan said: "These are very serious offences.

"People who commit these offences can often expect to go to prison,

"It had clearly been set up as a small hold production.

"He had remained off cannabis since it happened."

The sentences have been suspended for two years and he will have to have a 30 day rehabilitation course.