A Haverfordwest man’s attempt to create cannabis oil for pain relief led to him losing his wife and appearing in court.

Kenneth Rodway, of New Road, pleaded guilty to cannabis production and possession when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, January 15.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, said 35 plants were discovered growing at Rodway’s property when a search warrant was executed on October 16.

“Two sheds contained cannabis at different stages, the sheds were fitted out with equipment for growing plants.”

In interview, Rodway, 29, made full admissions, and stated the cannabis was intended for personal use, adding that his wife had left him since he started growing the Class B drugs.

Jonathan Webb, defending, said Rodway, who had no previous convictions, had been left in pain following an accident involving a ladder while cleaning gutters three years ago.

“He fell and broke his pelvis and bottom vertebra. He spent some time in hospital and was bed-ridden for a number of weeks and had to be in a brace for months.

The court heard that Rodway would have to walk with a stick for the rest of his life, and painkillers supplied by the doctor were not having any effect.

“He thought he would try his hand at making cannabis oil after reading articles about it in the press.”

Mr Webb added that the 24.4 grams of cannabis found in Rodway’s possession had been bought for pain relief.

The bench heard that 15 plants were two months from being harvested and the others were seedlings.

Mr Webb said: “This was his first effort. There was no evidence of previous crops.

“He was a long, long way from producing the oil. The police then came and knocked on the door and found them.”

Magistrates fined Rodway £200 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge.

A destruction order was made for the seized plants, cannabis and paraphernalia.