POLICE who raided a care assistant’s home found dozens of cannabis plants, a court was told.

Temi Daniel Onafe’s house on Watery Road, Wrexham was at the centre of a swoop on February 2.

In a front bedroom officers found 35 plants on a plastic sheet as well as a lamp used to help grow cannabis, but which was not turned on.

Onafe, 36, admitted growing and possessing the class B drug at a hearing at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court.

Rob Blakemore, prosecuting, said: “Mr Onafe told the officers he smoked cannabis and decided to save money by growing it. He had no intention of selling it.”

He added that an expert had put the potential total yield of 35 plants as 1.4kg.

Euros Jones, defending said: “He has been in the UK for over 10 years and has no offences. It was a plan that he and friends hatched together to save money and grow plants.

“The lamp was never properly installed because he decided he didn’t want to take part, but it was at that point police arrived.”

Onafe was in full-time employment as a care assistant and was worried he might lose his job as a result of a conviction, the court was told.

Magistrates, sentencing Onafe to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all drugs and equipment.