by Paul Hooper

A Broadstairs man who left school at 16 with no qualifications taught himself sciences – through cultivating cannabis.

Father-of-three Nicholas White, 37, claimed growing the illegal plant had taught him "biology, chemistry, science and physics", Canterbury Crown Court heard.

His barrister Alex Rooke said: "Being a man of no education, and no enthusiasm for education at 16 it gave him interest.

"Growing the plant has been a stimulus to educating himself, which is a good thing if put to the correct use."

White's home in Crundale Way, Kingsgate, was raided by police in February. Officers found 22 cannabis plants being grown in a bedroom.

He pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis and was jailed for six months.

Mr Rooke said White was a heroin addict for 13 years and used cannabis –described as "the lesser of two evils" – as a substitute.

"He has three children and is interested in making sure they get a decent education," he said. "He is a highly articulate man and, to me, presents himself as intelligent."

Judge James O'Mahony said growing cannabis in his home was "the equivalent to having a distillery".

"This is not something being done for medicinal purposes," he said. "It is quite deliberate offending."