AN arthritis sufferer who grew cannabis to relieve his painful symptoms was spared jail yesterday.

Colin Pattinson, 28, turned his bedroom into a "cannabis farm" and was hoping to produce about 20oz for its medicinal qualities.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard his plan was "nipped in the bud" when officers raided his home in Russell Street, Jarrow, South Tyneside, on April 26.

Ian Graham, prosecuting, said: "In the front bedroom of that flat they found what was essentially a cannabis farm."

Pattinson told police he had paid £400 for the materials to set up the farm and prosecutors accepted the drugs produced would have been for his own use.

Defence barrister John Wilkinson submitted a medical report to the court which proved that Pattinson suffered from arthritis in his hands, which would cause him pain.

Mr Justice Andrew Smith said the courts did not condone the cultivation or use of cannabis and any involvement in the production of drugs would usually lead to a jail sentence.

But he agreed to give Pattinson a chance and sentenced him to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to cultivation charges at an earlier hearing.

The judge told him: "You are not the sort of person we want to see in prison but it does happen."