MAN GREW DRUG TO EASE PAIN

A MAN who used cannabis to ease his back pain, grew it at home and
kept the harvested drug in Tupperware tubs, Norwich magistrates heard.

When police raided Michael Bower's flat in gentry Place, they found
plants and herbal cannabis with an estimated value of more than UKP
5,600.

Bower, 54, was fined UKP 100 after admitting producing herbal
cannabis between last October 1 and April 20.

Prosecutor Rachel Tucker said police who raided the flat on April 20
found five large cannabis plants being grown using a hydroponic system
and five smaller plants in a propagator.

They discovered also seven Tupperware tubs that contained herbal
cannabis.

Rebecca Saunders, for Bower, said he grew the drug for his own use as
he suffered from back pain and sciatica. He found cannabis to be more
beneficial than any prescribed medication. He had grown his own
because he did not want to encourage the activities of drug dealers.

Miss Saunders said Bower was living in fear, afraid to go out at
night, after being the victim of a very nasty robbery when he had been
held at knifepoint and tortured for about three hours. The men who
attacked him had never been caught.