TWO men dedicated rooms of their shared house in rural North Dorset to growing cannabis.

Jordan Smith and Charlie Hall had 12 plants in their three-bedroom home in Gillingham. Police raided the property in Cloverfields on Thursday, November 17 2016 after neighbours reported a strong smell of cannabis.

The pair appeared for sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court in October after admitting being concerned in the production of cannabis. They denied a second count of possession with intent to supply cannabis, and were formally found not guilty.

Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, said: "When police attended the address, Mr Smith opened the door and officers were met with the smell of cannabis.

"It certainly seems that one of the men was smoking a joint at the time of the police's arrival."

Cannabis plants were being grown in the men's bedrooms. Drugs paraphernalia and some 225 grams of cannabis which was ready to smoke was also found at the address.

A further kilo of material was found in the freezer. The material was unusable, although Smith said he'd hoped to make resin with it.

In interview, Smith, 23, admitted smoking "a lot of weed". Hall, 26, said he smoked up to seven grams of cannabis a day.

Both defendants said they grew the cannabis to smoke themselves as they wanted to save money. The men represented themselves in court.

Smith said: "I had seven plants in my room and my friend only had five in his - I think it'd be fair if I was charged for the seven, rather than us both being charged with 12."

However, Judge Jonathan Fuller QC said there could be no "horse trading" with the charges.

Hall said: "It was a very long time ago now.

"I realise my mistake and I'd like to get on with my life."

Judge Fuller said the plants were "reasonably mature" and would have given a yield of "around a ounce of skunk cannabis".

"You both accepted growing the plants to save money," he told the defendants.

"You had long-standing cannabis habits. You were fed up with paying a dealer."

Hall, who has a number of previous convictions for drug offences, including one for possession of cannabis with intent to supply it, was sentenced to a 12-month community order. He must complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 costs.

Smith was sentenced to 60 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £500 costs.

Speaking after the men were arrested, Sergeant Steve Haywood, of Gillingham police, said: "The arrests were a result of community-provided intelligence.

"Dorset Police will always act on information about drug misuse and dealing and we would encourage anyone with information about such activity in their area to contact us."