DOPE grower Robert Harding called the police because two men were trying to rob him of his cannabis plants - and ended up being arrested himself.

The 33-year-old, who could now face a prison term, dialled 999 after two men tried to break into his home and get his plants, magistrates were told.

Olive Catton, prosecuting, said officers had been called to Darnley Close in Walcot at about midday on March 13 to reports of men fighting.

She said that when police spoke to Harding one of the officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from his flat.

"Mr Harding said two men entered his home and tried to rob him of the cannabis plants he was growing but he managed to fight them off," she said.

When officers searched the flat they found a total of 46 cannabis plants which were being cultivated with a combined heater, thermostat and light fitting.

She said Harding admitted cultivating the plants but insisted all of the cannabis produced by the 46 plants was for his own personal consumption.

Miss Catton said that the total value of the crop would be £1,020 at a police estimate of £3 a gram of herbal cannabis.

She said that Harding only had one previous conviction which was for a similar offence in January 1995. Harding, of Darnley Close, pleaded guilty to producing 46 cannabis plants.

Tony Nowogrodzki, defending, said: "He is a 33-year-old man who grows cannabis in the same way that some people might grow tomatoes. It is a crop that is harvested and is for his own personal use. It is kept completely for himself and his own use.

"What you are dealing with is Mr Harding telephoning the police himself. That day, two men who he did not know decided to attack him in his own home.

"They brought a great deal of violence upon him. He needed hospital treatment and his dog was hit with a hoe that they found in the garden and he also suffered injury.

"They are still at large. They threatened to kill him and as a result he phoned the police himself. It is not challenged by the police or the prosecution that he was growing it for himself.

"He is working in a well known restaurant , which I will not mention in open court, as a kitchen hand earning £130 a week income."

Magistrates adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be prepared and warned Harding that they are considering a custodial sentence.