A man has been convicted in court after police discovered his cannabis crop following reports of a violent assault.
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Police attended the home of Jeremy Paul Braithwaite, 41, at about 11pm on October 24.
When they arrived Braithwaite was sitting out the front of his unit with substantial injuries to his face, and police said they saw blood spots at the entrance of the unit and inside.
Concerned there were further victims, police entered the unit and discovered several bottles of liquid fertiliser at the base of two tents with a light illuminating from the top.
While inside police also discovered two Gro cell branded hydroponic tents, used to grow plants inside, along with 10 cannabis plants in soil pots.
According to police facts the plants varied in size, the largest being approximately 15 centimetres in height.
Police also discovered flexible ducting attached to the tents that were fluted into a cupboard above the stove and into the exhaust chute. The tents also contained heat lamps and thermometers.
Police located and seized several other items in connection with the cannabis crop including pipes, utensils, scales, grinders, fertilisers, vaporisers, humidifiers, fans, hoses and duct tape, which according to police facts could be used to conceal the sound and smell of the hydroponic systems.
When police questioned Braithwaite, he made full admissions to the ownership and cultivation of the plants, but said no one else knew about the plants or had been inside the unit.
Braithwaite pleaded guilty to cultivating a prohibited plant at Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.
His defence lawyer told the court Braithwaite had been using the cannabis for the last 25 years for personal use to treat his joint pain relief, and for his anxiety and depression.
Magistrate Gary Wilson said Braithwaite knew it was illegal doing what he was doing.
"It's quite an elaborate set up in your unit for personal use," he said.
"I hear what you say, with respect to using cannabis for pain relief, but it's still illegal."
Magistrate Wilson said a good behaviour bond wasn't necessary due to his limited record, however Braithwaite was convicted and fined $750.
