A MAN who was caught growing more than 100 cannabis plants at his home has been jailed for then farming another 30 after being put on a court order.

Anthony Reid pleaded guilty to cultivating the class B plants at his address in Meanlour Drive, Muirkirk – having previously been busted growing 112 at the same property on August 20 last year.

When the 30-year-old appeared in the dock at Ayr Sheriff Court for sentencing, defence solicitor Peter Lockhart said values ascribed to the plants were irrelevant as there was no suggestion Reid was making any financial gain from the cultivation.

Mr Lockhart said: “He’s 30 and lives alone. He reports to me that he has smoked cannabis since he was 14 as he suffers anxiety.

“During the pandemic, he was diagnosed and put on depression medication.

“He took the medication for five months but felt they weren’t working, then began abusing cannabis again.

“He was buying cannabis, but decided it better not to be mixing with those involved.

“He had no horticultural experience, but found a number of videos online on how to grow your own.

“It goes without saying it was folly on his part.

“There is no suggestion of profit. Even I know if I was to plant 100 seeds, I’m not getting 100 good plants.”

Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart told Reid: “I’ve taken into account everything said. However, I have to factor in the severity of producing this illegal drug.

“There is no suggestion of supply, but to have gone on to offend again does seem to cross the threshold that the only appropriate sentence is custody.”

Reid was jailed for 10 months.