A Nowra man who pleaded guilty to growing cannabis hydroponically and having 12.4 kilograms of cannabis leaf has escaped a full-time jail term.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Scott James Baillie, 25, pleaded guilty to cultivating a prohibited plant, possessing a prohibited drug, possessing an anabolic or androgenic steroid agent and affray in Nowra Local Court.
Court papers said Ulladulla police went to his Nowra address on November 2 last year over another unrelated issue and as they approached the home noticed a strong smell of cannabis.
Officers said the smell got stronger the closer they got to the house.
Shoalhaven Target Action Group (TAG) officers also attended the home, finding an elaborate hydroponic set-up in one of the bedrooms, as well as a large quantity of cannabis leaf drying in a lounge room.
Another hydroponic set-up was found in the garage and further cannabis plants in an outdoor gazebo.
Officer seized nine plants, 12.4kg of cannabis leaf and two 250ml phials of testosterone.
Baillie also pleaded guilty to affray, related to an incident at Lake Conjola on September 23 last year in which he was involved in an altercation with an unidentified male at the Lake Conjola Bowling Club.
In Nowra Local Court, Magistrate Gabriel Fleming said there was no alternative to jail, convicting Baillie but placing him on a 12-month suspended sentence.
She also ordered he undertake 120 hours of community service in relation to the affray charge.