A Northumberland man has avoided jail after being found with a cannabis farm in his home.
Police searched David Mair's Blyth address after a tip off and discovered 23 plants of the class B drugs growing in an upstairs room.
The 35-year-old career crook, who has past convictions for pointing a rifle at a former girlfriend and dangerous driving, was also in possession of pregabalin and a cannabis grinder.
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Mair, who was on a suspended prison sentence at the time, was arrested and charged with possessing a class B drug, possessing a class C drug and producing a class B drug.
He initially pleaded not guilty to the offences but changed his mind on the day his trial was due to start at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Mair, of Hallside Road, in Blyth, has now been given another suspended sentence after pleading guilty to the offences.
District Judge Zoe Passfield told him: "These matter s do go back quite some time.
"However, at the time, you were on a suspended sentence order. That makes these offences more serious and it makes them serious enough to warrant a prison sentence."
The court heard that the police "had good reason" to search Mair's home on December 21 2020.
Prosecutor, Brian Payne, added: "It was clear he had drugs paraphernalia in the living room area, which included a cannabis grinder with some cannabis in.
"There was also a strip of pregabalin tablets. There was also cannabis growing upstairs, 23 plants.
"It was considered consistent with high-level personal use."
The court heard that, since the drugs were found, Mair had served a prison sentence for dangerous driving.
Peter Dunn, defending, said: "He's on licence until September this year. He's reminded offence-free since his release from prison."
Mair was given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was fined £80. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
