A DRUG user converted a bedroom in his house into a cannabis factory to feed his own habit.

Plasterer Matthew Edden grew 27 plants in a bedroom at Plymouth Avenue, Brighton, with an estimated value of £7,500.

He started smoking cannabis to beat his alcoholism, Lewes Crown Court heard.

The 49-year-old, who has 18 previous convictions for 37 offences, was given a 14-week suspended prison sentence and told to complete unpaid work.

Robin Miric, prosecuting, said police had been searching for a suspect and had asked to enter Edden’s home.

Inside they found cannabis plants with specialist lighting and ventilation.

But the prosecution accepted that he was using the drugs for his own personal use.

Meredoc McMinn, defending, said his client had been trying to put his previous offending behind him, and was trying to “medicate” himself with the class B drug.

Mr McMinn said Edden had been a “devoted” father of five and grandfather who had not been before the courts for the past seven years.

He said: “Of course, using cannabis to deal with alcohol problems is not at all appropriate.”

Judge Christine Henson QC said: “You seem to have swapped long-term alcohol abuse for cannabis.

“That is something that needs to be addressed as well as a punitive punishment.”

She ordered him to pay £500 court costs, which will be deducted from his £600 per week salary as a plasterer.

He must also complete 30 rehabilitation sessions, along with 160 hours of unpaid work.