David Aldwinckle, 57, of Lagoon Road, The Lagoon, appeared in person before Bathurst Local Court last month charged with the cultivation of a prohibited plant.

On January 25 this year, police attended the property after receiving information the accused was growing cannabis on his property.

Aldwinckle was cautioned by police before being questioned about any plants at the location. The accused made admissions to having plants.

Following the admissions from Aldwinckle, police requested he sign a consent form allowing officers to enter the premises and seize the plants.

He signed the form and directed police to plants.

The court heard the cannabis plants were about 50 metres away from the residence and near a home-made swimming pool, planted in various areas around the pool. Nine of the plants were about 50cm in height and one was over two metres in height.

The accused made admissions to growing the plants for personal use and told police he "watered them sometimes" depending on how much rain there had been at the property.

Police said he was co-operative and assisted with the removal of the plants.

He then participated in a notebook interview and signed the notebook indicating it was a true record of the conversation.

In a letter written to the court the accused expressed his remorse and said he took full responsibility for his actions.

He said he suffers both anxiety and depression and when he was 21 he suffered a back injury which left him with recurring pain. He said in the letter he feels cannabis assists him with both these conditions.

A second reference written to the court by a friend spoke about his remorse and said the accused was an otherwise hard-working and trustworthy person.

He was convicted and placed on a Community Corrections Order, Section 8, for a period of 12 months.