A man caught growing cannabis in his backyard has been fined after appearing at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court.
James Anthony Sheehey, 43, of Shepparton, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis, possessing cannabis and retention of stolen goods.
The court heard police found 13 cannabis plants in the backyard of Sheehey’s Shepparton home on February 25, 2021.
They also found an air compressor in the garage, which had been stolen from the Cooma Cricket Club days earlier.
Sheehey said he “just jumped on to a bargain” when he bought the air compressor for $200 from a mate.
His solicitor said Sheehey had started self-medicating after experiencing personal grief and was unemployed in receipt of JobSeeker.
Magistrate Victoria Campbell said she was troubled that the air compressor had been stolen from a community organisation and said Sheehey was complicit by purchasing it.
Sheehey was fined $1000 with conviction.