A MAN convicted of growing between 40 and 60 cannabis plants was yesterday spared jail, after a judge decided the drugs were for “personal use”.

Peter McClure, 31, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis following raids on his home in George Moore Close, off Iffley Road, in March.

Officers found the plants in the house. They were thought to be worth between £800 and £1,800.

But Recorder Julian Knowles at Oxford Crown Court heard the operation had been “unprofessional” and solely for his own use.

McClure was heard to be suffering with depression and “having trouble sleeping”. Many of the plants were found growing in his bedroom.

He also pleaded guilty to abstracting electricity.

In passing his verdict, Recorder Knowles said: “Cannabis is often a misunderstood drug, it is regarded as harmless.

“But it is most definitely not harmless, frankly Mr McClure, a man of your age should leave drugs behind.

“This is an offence where some courts would be minded to send you to prison.”

He added: “But you now have employment and it’s to your credit that you pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.”

McClure was sentenced to 100 hours’ unpaid work in the community, 12 months supervision and a 12 months drug testing and treatment order. He was also ordered to pay £200 towards the electricity abstraction.