Police who raided a Dales house found cannabis production in full swing, a court heard yesterday.

There were plants growing in three rooms of the house in Swinton Terrace, Masham, Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates.

No one was in at the time of the raid which uncovered 27 cannabis plants in one bedroom and five each in the bathroom and another bedroom along with heating, lighting and dehumidifying equipment.

Adrian Inman, 36, who was arrested when he returned home, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and the Crown dropped other charges alleging possession and production of a controlled drug.

Mrs Tyrer, who told the court Inman had been sentenced to two years in prison for a similar offence in February 1999, said he had told police he had been using cannabis for some years for pain relief. He produced his own because he did not want to get involved with "druggie idiots".

He had had an accident in 1986 in which he damaged his back and smoked cannabis because of that.

Mrs Tyrer said Inman had a professional set-up at home and knew all about growing cannabis, telling police he needed to produce the same conditions prevalent in the humidity of Afghanistan.

In mitigation, Geoffrey Boothby said there had been no intent to supply others.

After considering Inman's record, presiding magistrates Forrest Humphrey told him he would be sentenced by a judge at York Crown Court. He was bailed to appear there in the week beginning July 9