A CONCRETE driller who was growing cannabis claimed he was doing it for chronic back pain, a court heard.

Robert Hoyle, 43, had been cultivating 20 plants at his home in Rawtenstall.

When his solicitor told Judge Beverley Lunt he was an expert driller into concrete, she asked: "That doesn't hurt his back, then?"

Hoyle, who has never been in trouble before, escaped with a suspended jail term, but was warned if he struck again, jail waited.

The defendant, of Bacup Road, had admitted producing cannabis. He was given 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £300 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

David Macro, prosecuting, said police went to Hoyle's home on February 13 and found the medium-sized plants in the loft, with lighting, irrigation and ventilation.

Richard Taylor, for Hoyle, said he had had ongoing back problems for many years.

He told the judge: “I can assure you you won't be seeing him again.”

Sentencing, Judge Lunt said she was not sending the defendant to prison, as he was a working man who made the worst possible judgement.