A local man used a council grant to purchase equipment to grow cannabis, a court heard this week.

Magistrates sitting in Tenby on Tuesday heard how police had carried out a search warrant at the home of Kim Nicholas Goldfuss, of Flat 4, Beynon Court, Tavernspite, on November 27.

During the search, various amounts of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin were seized and the police were shown a darkened room where electric fans were operating and cannabis plants were being grown under two large lights, followed by a smaller cannabis growing operation in the main bedroom.

During interview, Goldfuss, who admitted charges of cultivating 126 cannabis plants and possessing 21.65 grammes of cannabis resin, told police that it had cost £600 to purchase the equipment he used to grow the cannabis, which he had financed though a council grant he had obtained to furnish and decorate his flat.

He said he had been growing the plants for one month because it was cheaper than buying, crown prosecutor, Mr. Iwan Jenkins, told the court.

He used the cannabis instead of alcohol for depression, but denied he was intending to sell the cannabis once it was harvested; instead it was for a constant supply in the future, Mr. Jenkins added.

The case was adjourned for the preparation of pre-sentence reports and will be brought back to court on January 2.

Goldfuss, who was released on unconditional bail, was warned by the bench that they were keeping all their options open with regards sentencing.