A FORMER motocross rider used cannabis to control the pain of his shattered lower limbs.

Blackburn magistrates heard Stewart Brown eventually decided to grow his own but his DIY efforts were uncovered when representatives of an energy company entered his house to turn off the gas.

Brown, 53, of Duchess Street, Lower Darwen, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis. He was fined £80 with £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge.

Drew Barrow, prosecuting, said employees of EON Energy went to an address in Tottenham Road, Lower Darwen, where Brown was resident, to turn off the gas supply. There was no answer so they lawfully entered the premises and could smell cannabis.

"They notified the police who found three tents containing a number of cannabis plants," said Mr Barrow. "They were still in the property when Brown returned and confirmed it was his address and he was cultivating cannabis for his own personal use."

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had a 10 year career in motocross and had shattered many bones.

"There is a lot of metal in his lower legs," said Mr Taylor. "He is prescribed Tramadol but it is too strong. What he discovered was that the pain could be managed with cannabis."

He said his client was purchasing cannabis but then went on the internet and after some research decided to try and grow his own.

"The majority of the plants were not going to reach maturity," said Mr Taylor. "It is accepted that there would only have been three plants that would produce usable cannabis. He is now managing his pain using various ointments and he no longer has to rely on cannabis."