A MAN under investigation for faking medical prescriptions was caught growing cannabis, a court heard today (Wednesday March 26).

Hari Jandoo, prosecuting, said police were alerted after a pharmacy became suspicious about a prescription handed in by Paul Richard Gaunt.

They found the prescription for Diazepam had been written on a pad previously stolen from the Denmark Street medical surgery in Darlington.

He told Darlington magistrates that when officers went to the 33-year-old's home on December 1, they found two cannabis plants and a stolen mountain bike.

Gaunt pleaded guilty to producing a controlled Class B drug, receiving stolen goods, possessing an article for use in fraud and committing a further offence whilst subject to a conditional discharge.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said: “It is clear that the problem and the root of his offending behaviour is his misuse of illegal substances.

"His offending is all about what seems to be the need to feed drug addiction and to a lesser extent, to finance drug addiction."

Gaunt, of Melland Court, Darlington was handed a 12 month community order with supervision and a six month drug rehabilitation requirement. He was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge.