A WOMAN who was nearly killed when she fell off a motorbike as a teenager grew 20 cannabis plants at her home to relieve the pain.

Caroline Jones admitted cultivating the cannabis plants at her home in Suffield Close, Bransford, near Worcester, when she appeared before magistrates in Worcester.

Her co-accused, a youth who cannot be identified for legal reasons, also admitted cultivation of cannabis when he appeared with her in court.

Jones was fined £100 by magistrates which will be deducted from her £98 per week payments of incapacity benefit.

The youth, who admitted a “50-50” role in cultivating the drug, again for personal use, will appear before a youth court today to proceed with his sentence.

Marie Watton, prosecuting, said police officers found the plants which were all between 4ft and 6ft tall when they visited the address for other reasons on Thursday, September 11.

Jones, aged 45, told police she grew the plants in order to relieve the pain she suffered as a result of rheumatism and arthritis which followed the crash.

Andy Childs, defending, said Jones was still in pain after a collision as a passenger on the back of a motorbike which left her with multiple fractures.

“Over the years she has been in constant pain which is more marked in winter months.

"Doctors recognised that she had had a number of repeat prescriptions. The body does get used to increased strength pain killers which has made for difficult times in her life.

“My client has found cannabis a helpful drug. But she had not enjoyed going out to pay for it and illicit deals in public but she did enjoy taking the drug.

"The way around this was to cultivate it herself. There has been no attempt to sell to third parties,” he said.

Jones was fined £100, ordered to pay £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

An order was made to destroy all the cannabis plants seized.