A drug addict who banked almost £31,000 from commercial production of cannabis has been jailed for two years 10 months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard when police went to Christopher Rappoport's home, they seized 1,200 grammes of the drug.

He also rigged up an explosive device to scare off trespassers to the illegal operation.

A judge said the 34-year-old, of High Street, Hawkhurst, produced cannabis at premises where he was living with his wife and children on a commercial scale.

"There is the clearest evidence of that, both from your financial records and on your computer. There were photographs, one showing cannabis growing at one of the premises you were occupying," Judge Jeremy Carey said.

"Over a period of years you were growing cannabis, not simply for your own substantial use but also for reward."

Rappoport admitted producing and possessing cannabis, transferring criminal property, possessing ammunition without a firearms certificate and possessing expanding ammunition.

Richard Furlong, defending, said the cannabis operation had been scaled down and Rappoport had turned his life around after having an enormous cannabis habit.

"He has had a difficult life," said Mr Furlong. "He had serious mental health issues he attempted to address. He was receiving treatment."

He had worked for United Business Media in London and was head-hunted after he left.

"There will be personal consequences if an immediate custodial sentence is imposed," Mr Furlong added.

Judge Carey told Rappoport: "I have no doubt, having read much about you, that your life during that time was in turmoil. Your heavy use of cannabis can only have made that worse.

"It seems to me that is no excuse but merely an explanation and background."

Rappoport had grown the drug in both Smarden and Hawkhurst and acquired another building in the garden for illegal use.

In the space of two years, he had transferred £30,000 into his bank account, despite low income from employment.

"There is evidence of a substantial degree of self-deception as to just how deeply entrenched your criminal mind set was," said the judge.

"I have received a detailed and impressive letter from your mother. She speaks of your frailness. But I cannot impose anything other than an immediate custodial sentence."