A reclusive man started his own cannabis farm because he was ‘sick of lining the pockets’ of drug dealers, a court heard.

Richard John Wright, 38, was caught with four-plants and growing equipment at his flat, magistrates were told.

He told police he had been cultivating the high strength ‘Widow’ skunk cannabis for nine weeks and was close to harvesting it, the court heard.

Wright, of The Old Ribbon Mill, Pitt Street, Macclesfield, admitted producing a controlled drug of class B cannabis.

Debbie Byrne, prosecuting, said: “On December 9, 2014, police executed a warrant at an address.

“Police searched the premises and found a black tent, two meters by two meters.

“Inside there were four one metre tall cannabis plants, as well as hydroponics and ventilation equipment.

“The defendant told police he was growing it for personal use because he was ‘sick of lining the pickets of other people’.

“He said he had bought the seeds and equipment for about £50 online and had been growing ‘Widow’ cannabis for about nine weeks.

“He was due to harvest them in two weeks.

“He told officers he keeps to himself and doesn’t interact with anyone.”

Wright who has more than 50 previous convictions for violence and theft, was fined £110.

Jenny Fields, defending, said: “The defendant has been a regular cannabis user for years.

“He said it eases the pain in muscles and nerves damaged from when police used a taser on him.

“He has mental health difficulties and is getting treatment. Cannabis might not be helping but he continues to use it.”