A 31-YEAR-OLD man who was growing cannabis in his Lymm home was caught out after crashing his sports car into a barrier on the M56.

Greater Manchester Police had been called out to investigate Paul Skilling’s abandoned MGF sports car which was embedded in a barrier by junction 3A in the early hours of July 17 last year.

Warrington Crown Court heard on Tuesday how another motorist had reported the incident but there was no sign of Skilling the registered owner of the car, at the scene.

Officers called at his home in Appleton Mews, at 3.20am that morning to find no one in the property.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said: “The light was on, the TV was on and a bottle of wine was opened. They found a very strong smell of cannabis and a small cannabis farm in the loft.”

There they uncovered 15 plants, various cannabis-growing paraphernalia and 30 seedlings.

Although he was not around officers left a message for Skilling to get in touch with them.

More than two weeks later Skilling turned himself in to Cheshire Police with his solicitor.

Mr Hussey said in interview that Skilling admitted growing the drugs for himself as he was a heavy cannabis user.

The court also heard how he had previously served a five-year sentence for possession with intent to supply cannabis from a conviction 10 years ago.

Brendan O’Neill, defending, said Skilling was hoping to start his own home maintenance and joinery business following a period of unemployment.

Skilling was ordered to complete 150 hours’ unpaid work, a six-month supervision order and pay £250 costs.