A man who grew cannabis plants in two padlocked bedrooms at a house in Lowestoft has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Police officers raided the house in Berrisford Road after arresting Marcus Stroud in Lowestoft in August, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

In addition to ten plants growing in two bedrooms, officers found equipment including air filters, fans, transformers and two sets of digital scales, said Michael Crimp, prosecuting.

In addition to the plants a quantity of cannabis was also found in a bin liner in a safe in the property.

Mr Crimp said the drugs had a value of between £2,600 and £4,500.

More than £5,000 cash was found at the house and a confiscation hearing will take place later in the year.

Stroud, 43, of Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft, admitted production of cannabis between May and August last year and possessing cannabis with intent to supply on August 22 last year.

The court heard he had admitted the offences on the basis that most of the cannabis was for his own use but he would have supplied some of the drug to adults he knew.

He was given a 13-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and a curfew from Wednesday to Sunday from 9pm-6am until July 27.

Sentencing Stroud, Judge John Devaux said the defendant had told a probation officer he had stopped using cannabis a month earlier because he realised it was wrong and had a negative impact on his emotional wellbeing.

'I hope that was truthful,' said the judge, who warned Stroud that if he was found in possession of cannabis or any other drugs during the period of the suspended sentence it would result in him going to prison.