A 50-YEAR-OLD man was caught growing 24 cannabis plants.

Joseph Christie was snared after police obtained a warrant following a strong smell of cannabis from his property.

During a search of his home, the illegal plants were recovered along with drug paraphernalia.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Christie pleaded guilty to producing the controlled drug at his home address on May 5 last year.

Defending, Mr McCue claimed that his client had not offended since the incident, but had ongoing personal issues with addiction.

Mr McCue noted: "That's the context of this offence and how he came involved with it."

Sheriff Brian Cameron told the accused: "I am just persuaded to step away from custody on this occasion."

Christie, of Towerhill Road, was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 140 hours of unpaid work to be completed within six months.