BRIGHTON MAN GREW CANNABIS "TO EASE HIS DEPRESSION"

A former probation worker grew cannabis to help ease his depression,
a court was told.

Timothy Parry, 44, set up a small cannabis factory in the basement of
a house in Dyke Road, Brighton.

He disguised the entrance by putting up a wooden structure around it.

Police found up to 30 plants growing there when they raided the
building on March 24.

A hydroponics growing system and a calendar detailing when the crop
would be ready to harvest was found inside.

Police discovered documents with Parry's details on, and took away a
cigarette end, beer cans and a coffee cup for analysis.

Bridget Norfolk, prosecuting, said forensic tests confirmed the
father-of-three's DNA was on the items seized.

Police also found more than an ounce of cannabis in a safe at Parry's
home in Windmill Street, Brighton.

He pleaded guilty to cultivating and possessing cannabis for his own
use during a hearing at Brighton Magistrates Court.

The court was told Parry had smoked cannabis for 15 years to relax
and ease his depression.

He will be sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on a date to be fixed.