A SOUTHAMPTON man handed himself into the police after 12 cannabis plants were found growing in a flat, the city crown court heard.

Andrew Keeys told officers he had been growing the drug to fund his own habit but now wanted to sort out his life.

Prosecutor Michael Williams said police had gone to the flat with a search warrant in connection with another matter but found windows boarded up, no furniture and the electricity meter had been bypassed.

A drugs expert estimated the cannabis had a street value of about £5,000, but there was nothing to suggest a commercial interest.

Keeys, 30, of Fort Road, admitted producing cannabis and received a three-month suspended sentence coupled with 12 months’ supervision and a 100-hour community work order.

Judge Derwin Hope said the case was very unusual.

“It was a very small operation and no sophisticated equipment was used.

“This was a piece of utter foolishness on your part and you handed yourself in when the police were looking for the person responsible.”

Richard Martin, defending, said Keeys had sought help to tackle his long-standing addiction.