A CANNABIS farmer with a 'cottage industry' denied he was a dealer, claiming he only smoked the drug to relieve a bad back.

However, the judge told Wesley Buckland he did not believe he was growing the cannabis at a Pinvin caravan site for medicinal purposes, calling his explanation 'entirely improbable'.

Buckland, aged 37, of Poolhead Lane, Tamworth, admitted the production of cannabis at a caravan site in Pinvin, near Pershore when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday.

A more serious charge of possession of cannabis with intent to supply was discontinued by the prosecution.

Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said officers raided a caravan site at Pinvin on April 25, finding a cannabis grow.

In one shed they found 10 juvenile cannabis plants and a full hydroponic set up with irrigation, ventilation, insulation and artificial lights.

In a second shed they also found a hydroponic set up but no plants.

In another building they found the results of a previous cannabis harvest, evidence of the drugs being weighed, trimmed and bagged in press-sealed bags.

Mr Whitfield said: "It's a small scale cottage industry for profit. The crown say he must have been part of a chain of supply. His role is growing and production, whether under direction we can't say."

Mr Whitfield said the defendant's explanation that the cannabis was being grown for medicinal purposes was not accepted by the crown.

Two mobile phones and a tablet were seized though nothing to indicate drug trafficking was found on the devices.

Mr Whitfield said Buckland was lightly convicted with his last conviction well over six years ago for a driving matter.

His last significant conviction was on March 23, 2007 for burglary with intent to steal.

Peter Hemming, defending, said the supply charge against Buckland had been discontinued.

He said: "I'm not sure one can have ones cake and eat it in that regard. He grows it for medicinal purposes, for back ache as a result of the manual work he's been doing."

He said Buckland, who now worked on lighter duties as a gardener, had previously worked as a tree surgeon.

He argued that Buckland grew the cannabis for personal use. However, recorded Paul Bleasdale QC said: "I'm not prepared to accept that submission."

Mr Hemming said Buckland would be unsuitable for a curfew because he lived in a caravan.

Recorder Bleasdale, sentencing, said: "In my view the prosecution's description of this as a small cottage industry is entirely accurate.

"I've seen the explanation you have given to the probation officer in the pre-sentence report which is the basis of mitigation by your advocate, that of using cannabis for medicinal purposes and personal use to ease your back pain problems. I reject that explanation completely. I'm sure this was production with a view to selling it."

He sentenced Buckland to six months immediate custody.