Police responding to a burglary ended up arresting a man after they found he was growing cannabis.

William Douglas, 40, had called police for help at 4pm on March 6 when men were trying to get into his house in Ridings Mead, magistrates in Chippenham were told.

When they got there the men had gone, but officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis.

Kate Prince, prosecuting, said: “He admitted he had recently smoked a spliff, and as they reached the top of the stairs it was clear he was cultivating.”

Douglas, who has 13 previous drug offences, admitted smoking about an ounce of cannabis a week. He used to use heroin and crack but is now virtually clean.

He was fined £50 with a £20 victim surcharge.