CANNABIS plants were discovered in a former soldier's bedroom when police searched his home, a court has heard.

Robert Geoffrey Howgate admitted growing the class B drug when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on September 16.

Police had found the crop after obtaining a warrant to search Howgate's home in Barricombe Drive, Hereford, on August 14, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe told the court.

Officers found a key in Howgate's bedroom which opened a cupboard containing an LED light and an invoice for grow bags for cannabis.

The cupboard was dismantled, revealing six cannabis plants of varying sizes.

Howgate was not at home at the time of the search and was later arrested when he attended the police station.

In interview, the 54-year-old said he suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and had grown the drug to self-medicate.

He told police he had bought ten packets of seeds online and that he eats the drug, which helps him sleep and function better.

Philip Cornell, mitigating, said plasterer Howgate had been unable to find work during lockdown after a bad year last year.

"He is on his uppers, really," Mr Cornell said.

"Then you add in the PTSD from the army, the serious facial injuries he received from a gun, and family issues he is having. Everything came to a head towards the end of last year, and that is when he found the cannabis was helpful.

"That is why he had it and that is what the evidence points to."

In a letter to magistrates, Howgate said he had now found a legal alternative in cannabis oil.

Howgate was fined £120 and the cannabis, lamps, grow bags and an oscillating fan were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

He must also pay costs of £100 and a £34 victim surcharge.