A DALMUIR man who was caught growing cannabis in his flat claimed that it was for self-medication’.

When police officers searched Michael Gravil’s Clyde Court home they found five cannabis plants.

Gravil, 35, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week and admitted producing the Class B drug at his home between April 1 and August 12 last year.

Referring to a criminal justice social work report prepared for the court, defence solicitor Joanna Mortimer said: “He had been using cannabis for medical reasons, but not for the reason in the report. 

“He says that the car accident was not what he had told social work – he was somewhat baffled by this.

“He had a problem with his back and that’s what he told me right from the start. 

“He had been self-medicating and has been purchasing cannabis from dealers and that was something he was not comfortable with. 

“He had to look online to find information on how to grow these plants.”

The court also heard from the solicitor that the prescription medication Gravil had been given by his doctor had proved ineffective.

Gravil claimed that he was forced to turn to cannabis hash for pain relief.

Lawyer Joanna Mortimer added: “It is my submission that custody is not an option as there is an alternative disposal. 

“He is fit for unpaid work and this would be a suitable disposal in the circumstances.”

Sheriff Craig Turnbull said: “Not withstanding the fact that you have previous convictions for drugs, in 2014 you also received two fixed penalties for drugs offences. 

“This offence is on a completely different level and is unacceptable. 

“If prescribed medication doesn’t agree with you, you go back to the doctor and get other medications.”

The sheriff imposed a community payback order and Gravil was ordered to carry out 110 hours of unpaid work in the community.