A FATHER-of-four has been handed a community order after cannabis plants were found in his loft.

Unemployed Simon Reid, of Greyhound Road, Glemsford, near Sudbury, admitted producing a quantity of the controlled class B drug when he appeared at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court.

Rosalind Cappleman, prosecuting, told the court that police had arrived at the 41-year-old’s home on May 31 and told him they were going to execute a drugs warrant.

She added: “He (Reid) then said ‘It’s up in the loft’ and police found a number of cannabis plants.”

Reid, who has 20 previous convictions for 69 offences, represented himself at the hearing.

When questioned by chair of the magistrates Susan Hughes about his motivations, Reid said he had “nothing” to say.

He added: “I was just going to smoke them. It was for my use.”

The court was told that specialist equipment, associated with the cultivation of cannabis, had been found in the loft alongside 11 mature-looking plants. Reid denied he was going to use the equipment to grow more plants.

He added: “I accept they were there but it doesn’t mean I was going to use them. I just acquired them.”

Mrs Hughes sent off for probation reports before sentencing Reid to a 12- month community order with supervision. She also ordered the disposal and destruction of the cannabis plants and the equipment and handed Reid a fine of �85.