A 53-year-old man has avoided immediate imprisonment after admitting growing cannabis plants at his home.

Nigel Terence Wassall of Lower Foxdale was charged with possessing cannabis and cultivating the drug when he appeared before Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

The court heard police searched his home in September last year and found nine plants and cannabis worth ?146.

Sentencing him, Mrs Hughes said the offences were more serious because he had similar previous convictions.

Wassall's advocate said despite similar convictions in the past, he hadn't offended since 2006 and was no longer dependant on cannabis.

Mrs Hughes imposed a three-month jail term, suspended for two years, for possession, and a one-month sentence, also suspended for two years, for growing the plants.

She also made an order for the destruction of the plants and drugs found by officers when they executed the warrant.

Wassall was ordered to pay costs of ?50.