A YOUNG Suffolk man who secretly grew cannabis in his bedroom nearly got his mother and brother evicted from their home after the plants were discovered, a court has heard.

Police officers who searched Alexander Jurak’s home in Princess Way, Earsham, Bungay found 20 cannabis plants being grown with the aid of a hydroponic equipment, an air extraction device, two heat lamps and a fan, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Jurak’s mother and brother were arrested and questioned by police until officers were satisfied they were not involved in the cannabis growing operation.

His mother and brother also faced eviction from their local authority home following the discovery of the plants but were allowed to carry on living there after Jurak agreed to move out. Jurak, 23, admitted production of cannabis and possession of ecstasy and cannabis.

He was given a 14-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and was ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work in the community and to pay �200 prosecution costs.

Sentencing him, Judge John Devaux said Jurak had continued to sleep in his bedroom while growing the plants.

Robert Sadd prosecuting said Jurak was stopped by police on December 29 after he was seen driving a car erratically near Bungay.

When Jurak was asked if he had anything he shouldn’t he handed over a grinder which had a trace of cannabis on it and a tin foil wrap containing herbal cannabis.

When officers searched the car they found 20 wraps containing ecstasy under the driver’s seat which had Jurak’s fingerprints on them, said Mr Sadd.

Jonathan Goodman for Jurak said his client had no previous convictions and had started using drugs after the break-up of a relationship.

“He was spending more money than was good for him buying cannabis and set about growing his own,” said Mr Goodman.

He said his client had kept the cannabis plants in his bedroom a secret from his mother and brother and had put money in the electricity meter to stop his mother from becoming suspicious.

Mr Goodman said the plants were immature and Jurak had initially planted 20 seeds without knowing how many would germinate.

Mr Goodman said Jurak had been in employment since leaving school and was generally a diligent member of society