A NAIVE cannabis grower walked free from court after he confessed more to police than they could ever prove.

Andrew Ainsworth's honesty was described as "remarkable" by his lawyer, who argued for a suspended sentence for him.

The 35-year-old father struggled to hold back his tears when he was granted his wish at Teesside Crown Court.

Judge Howard Crowson gave him ten months, suspended for a year, with 150 hours of unpaid work for the community.

He told Ainsworth: "For my part, I don't expect to see you again, but if I do I will impose the suspended sentence."

The court heard how police found the cannabis farm in his home in Rydal Avenue, Redcar, east Cleveland, in October.

There were 19 plants as well as extractors, transformers and fans - with an expected annual yield of up to almost £17,000.

Ainsworth confessed to already having harvested one crop and making £1,500 while the second batch was on its way.

The court heard how he had all the equipment after a former colleague moved overseas and left it with him.

Defence lawyer Graham Brown said he did nothing with it for months - until he lost his job and feared losing his house.

"He is unusual in the sense he has grown cannabis because an opportunity presented itself in a way which is far from standard.

"He found himself in a situation where he could not see a way out," said Mr Brown. "He got into a situation where he was desperate.

"There was no employment, which he had for the vast majority of his 35 years, anywhere on the horizon.

"He bought some seeds. He didn't know whether they would grow or how they would grow.

"His candour reflects two things: firstly, a desire to confront things he has done; and secondly, it is an indication of the naivety of the defendant in the overall process.

"Without legal representation, he made full admissions at the first interview. Those admissions were much more extensive than the Crown might have been able to prove."

Ainsworth pleaded guilty to charges of producing and supplying Class B drugs as well as possessing criminal property.