WHEN police arrived at Frederick Gradon’s Hawick home to investigate a domestic disturbance, they found a cannabis cultivation in a room.

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his partner of 20 years. Gradon also admitted producing a controlled drug with the discovery of the five plants, which he said was for his own personal use.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client was growing the cannabis as it helped alleviate the pain he was suffering.

He added: “There is no suggestion he was selling it on.”

Sentence was deferred for one year for good behaviour.