Dylan Martin Merrutia was given a 12-month jail term by Judge Anthony Rafter, SC, but the sentence was suspended immediately and no conviction was recorded.

The court was told police found 23 cannabis plants - some up to three months old - growing at the Bellmere home he shared with his mother.

They also found ducting and electrical equipment used to grow the cannabis, and a kilo of the drug drying in a wardrobe in his bedroom.

However, the court was told there was no suggestion that the drug was being grown commercially and this it was an obvious case of personal use.

The court was told that Merrutia had a family history of 'some dysfunction' with his father dying when the boy was eight - a loss that his mother had difficulty dealing with.

"Despite that," his lawyer said, "he's gone 19 years without coming to the attention of the court."

"He's done a stupid thing," his lawyer said, "but this young man would be a good case for a suspended sentence."

Judge Rafter agreed, but told the young man that he would be jailed immediately if he breached any of his parole conditions over the next 12 months.

Graham Cairns Fairfax Radio 4BC