POLICE acting on a tip-off found a stash of cannabis plants worth £17,400 and other cultivation paraphernalia at a man's tower block home in Dumbarton.

The stash found at 50 year-old Thomas Mulholland's Clyde Court flat included 29 cannabis plants- all at "varying stages of maturity" and was described by a Sheriff as "a significant quantity."

However, Mulholland's not guilty plea to being concerned in the supply of cannabis between October 1 2016 and November 30 2016 was accepted by the Crown.

He claimed the drugs were "for his own consumption."

Mulholland appeared on indictment at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, October 3, and did plead guilty to producing a class B drug, namely cannabis, at Clyde Court, West Bridgend during the same period.

Fiscal Depute Kevin Doherty outlined the procedural history of the case, saying: "The accused appeared on petition at court on December 28.

"He made no plea and was committed for further examination and released on bail.

"The background is that he stays at a tower block and a large proportion of residents are elderly.

"Police on the day effectively received a tip-off that there might be cultivation within the property.

"And, acting on that, they turned up to have a look.

"When they entered the common area they detected a very strong smell of cannabis."

The court was told that police called out to the occupant of the flat via the letter box but there was no reply.

Mr Doherty said: "They became concerned and got into the flat where there were signs of cultivation and cannabis. Officers formed the view that cultivation was going on.

"On forcing entry the accused was discovered in the living room area.

"He was detained and a search warrant obtained. A systematic search was carried out.

"It was apparent that sophisticated cannabis cultivation was going on."

The court was told there were 'growing areas' within the property, along with 29 cannabis plants of varying stages of maturity and other materials used in cultivation including thermometers, transponders, timers and fans. All the items were seized.

Mr Doherty said: "Mr Mulholland was taken to Clydebank police office and interviewed.

"The accused co-operated with officers, making various admissions. It's his position that it was for his own consumption but there was a significantly large cultivation."

The court was also told how plants were seized, analysed and confirmed as cannabis and the value of the plants ranged between £200 to £600.

The total value of the haul was £17,400.

Mr Doherty added: "He (Mulholland) was cautioned and charged and made no reply."

Sheriff William Gallacher told Gallacher: "You appear before me, on the face of it, on a serious charge, it's a significant quantity and I need to consider a range of ways of dealing with this."

Sentence was deferred until October 31 for a criminal justice social work report and Mulholland's bail was continued.