A Dover man has been given a 10 month jail sentence suspended for 18 months for cultivating cannabis.

Robert Shawe, 41, claimed he was growing the 86 skunk cannabis plants for his own use – but a judge rejected his account.

Shawe’s home in Dixon Road was raided in August last year and police discovered a system which was based “on knowledge and expertise”.

The ex-Para said he had taken the illegal drug because of the trauma suffered during his service in Kosovo.

Canterbury Crown Court heard he later claimed that the equipment used to grow the plants had been provided by a neighbour he refused to name.

The judge, Miss Recorder Janet Bignell said: “This cannabis crop was not for his own personal use but was to be shared with his neighbour friend, who had supplied all the equipment.

“The neighbour had also produced the plant and seems to have been an expert grower as well as a large consumer of cannabis. It is clear that you were part of this enterprise and you had no idea if your friend was going to supply it elsewhere.”

She said Shawe, who has a previous conviction for allowing his home to be used for the production of drugs, had now to attend sessions to help him tackle his drug and alcohol addictions.

He was also ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work for the community within a year.