Man tried growing cannabis 'to treat his gout problems'

Police discovered 28 plants in his house

- Sentinel Reporter

A DAD-of-four has been spared jail after growing cannabis - to treat his painful gout condition.

Joshua Barlow began his amateur operation in April 2021, growing 28 plants in an attempt to produce his own CBD oil.

But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard when police showed up at Barlow’s home on the suspicion he had been committing identity fraud, he confessed to his ill-planned marijuana grow.

Now 36-year-old Barlow, who has 18 previous convictions for 40 offences, has been handed a community order. Prosecutor Anthony Longworth said: "This was his first time growing marijuana and - by his own admission - he didn’t do a very good job of it.