A DISABLED Chepstow man grew cannabis to pay bills for his car and dog which he couldn't afford.

But Steven Nyland's illegal attempt to pay off his dog's veterinary bill and his own car repair costs were rumbled by a neighbour who smelt the cannabis fumes coming from his home.

When police arrived at Nyland's house in Edmond rd, Sedbury, they saw him emerging from his garage with his clothes stained green by the cannabis plants, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

Nyland, 52, who was left unable to work by an accident at his own electrical engineering business 15 years ago, admitted production of cannabis and possessing it with intent to supply.

But after hearing how he had been left incapacitated by his industrial accident Judge William Hart said it was an exceptional case and he would not jail him.

He said: "You did not receive any compensation for your accident and you had no income protection plan in place. Then along came two unexpected expenses. A £500 bill for car repairs and an expensive course of treatment for your pet dog. Finances became extremely strained.

"Most people don't turn to criminal activity in those circumstances but you did - and you have regretted it, I am quite satisfied, ever since. I am sympathetic to your position. I regard your circumstances as exceptional."

Judge Hart sentenced Nyland to 20 months prison suspended for two years and placed him under an electronically tagged home curfew from 10pm-6am each night for 20 weeks.

He ordered destruction of the cannabis and growing equipment.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner had told the court that a neighbour of Nyland's called the police on May 16 because of the 'strange smell' in the area.

In the garage were 54 cannabis plants and 19 seedlings, Mr Kesner said. But many of the plants were male - showing that Nyland was unaware that it is the female plants from which the saleable flowering head cannabis is grown.

The potential yield of his crop was 2.4 kilos worth £3,137 and he also had 494.2 grams of harvested cannabis ready to sell.

Nyland told police he does not use cannabis himself but he had been financially desperate and decided to grow it to pay his debts.

Joe Maloney, defending, handed the court documents which he said showed the extent of Nyland's debts and also confirmed details of his industrial accident when he was 38.

"Unfortunately he suffered a significant head injury and his world fell apart. He has struggled financially ever since. In recent times he got into debt because of circumstances which came out of the blue involving the car and the family pet. That led to him getting in arrears with his mortgage and he came up with this plan.