A DRUG dealer who grew cannabis plants in a shed at his Whitchurch home has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Police recovered up to 20 plants cultivated by Robert Bransby at his address and phone records showed he had been selling the drug in the local area.

Bransby was given a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Passing sentence Judge Peter Barrie said Bransby had established a small cultivation of cannabis, but it was a worth while quantity for him to make a financial gain.

Bransby, of Queensway, Whitchurch, was also put on a 12-week curfew between 8pm and 6am and must complete a community thinking skills programme.

He had admitted two charges of producing cannabis and possession of the drug with intent to supply at a previous hearing

The court heard that Bransby had started producing the cannabis for his own use to deal with long standing pain because back problems, but later became a local street dealer.

Mr Delroy Henry, prosecuting, said that police were called to Bransby's address in August last year to deal with another matter after two young boys reported being threatened with a long-barrelled weapon.

When firearms officers went to the address they found the cannabis plants in a shed named 'daddy's shed'.

He said the cannabis cultivation was 'semi-sophisticated' and mobile phone records subsequently confirmed Bransby was selling the drug.

Mr Henry Hills, for Bransby, said his client did have a previous conviction for a similar offence, but it was a considerable time ago.

He said his client was a decent and hard working family man who had struggled with his emotions during the breakdown of his relationship.