POLICE who were concerned about a man's wellbeing found cannabis plants when they went looking for him at his home address.

James Courtney, 33, of Miller Road, Balloch, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, May 16.

He previously admitted that, on May 27, 2016 at Miller Road, he did produce a controlled drug, namely cannabis in contravention of section 4 (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Fiscal Depute Emma Thomson told the court : "At 4.51pm police officers attended due to concerns for the accused.

"They chapped on the door but got no reply.They forced entry through a rear door but there was no sign of him (Courtney)."

Found at the property were a quantity of cannabis plants, along with lights and a transponder.

"Police therefore obtained a search warrant and carried out a search of the property," said Ms Thomson.

The accused was later traced in Bonhill and he was detained, cautioned and charged, making no reply.

Courtney was taken to Clydebank Police Office and during the course of an interview he made a "full admission" and that it was he who "set up cannabis cultivation" at the address.

Courtney's defence solicitor Tom Brown said in mitigation: "He's a single man, living at that address.

"He has a record, a particularly bad one up until 2012, but drugs do not really feature in his record."

The court was also told how Courtney took over a tenancy but struggled financially and with depression.

Mr Brown said: "He accepts there was good reason for them (Police officers) to be concerned abut his well being.

"But he's got himself back on track. He's stayed out of trouble since this and he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. And it (the cannabis) was simply for personal use."

Sheriff John Hamilton said: "I take on board everything Mr Brown has said. There does seem to be a background that I am prepared to accept."

Courtney was fined £120 for the offence, payable at £10 per fortnight.