A dad grew a cannabis farm in the attic of his Leeds home to pay off a debt.
Glynn Turpin, 47, avoided jail after a total of 46 plants were found in the attic of his then-home on Brooklands Lane in Seacroft.
Prosecutor Paul Nicholson said police executed search warrants at two properties on the street at 4.45pm on February 2 last year.
Mr Nicholson said Turpin was inside one of the properties with another man and told police: "You must know this is nothing to do with them, this is all mine."
He was asked if he was referring to a cannabis farm in the attic and he said he was.
Turpin was arrested and told police there were ladders to access the attic.
Leeds Crown Court heard officers found 10 cannabis plants growing in the attic and 36 harvested cannabis plants hanging up to dry.
In his police interview, Turpin said he was in debt and had been threatened, including with a gun.
He would not name whoever had threatened him.
Turpin, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis.
He has previous convictions, including for drugs, driving and dishonesty offences.
The court was told the person who threatened Turpin had prevented him from attending a previous court hearing.
Ashleigh Metcalfe, mitigating, said her client's partner has been a good influence in his life and her two children call him 'dad'.
She said the family have since relocated to East Yorkshire.
Miss Metcalfe also said her client's physical and mental health suffered after he broke several spinal cords in a domestic accident.
Turpin was handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
