A 21-year-old described as a "simple, humble country boy" who "likes to garden", was jailed on Friday for cultivating cannabis.

Defence layer, Mark Pettingill said his client Deon Sheldon Pitcher's was not a criminal despite his guilty plea to three drug related charges, he was a just a "St. David's boy who likes to garden".

Pitcher pleaded guilty to growing cannabis plants and possessing $1,050 of cannabis. No dollar amount was allocated to the plants in his possession. He also pleaded guilty to possessing drug equipment and obstructing officers in their line of duty.

Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons said Pitcher should have planted tomatoes instead of cannabis.

Mr. Pettingill said his client lived with his parents and used the drug for "meditative purposes" and to "relax". He also argued that the court was not dealing with a "sophisticated weed growing operation".

He also told Mrs. Justice Simmons heard that Pitcher had seen the error of his ways during the one month he has spent in Westgate on remand.

Mr. Pettingill said his client was "shocked" from his experience in prison.

Pitcher apologised for his actions and said he would never appear before the courts again.

"The time I have spent in Westgate has made me really realise what life is worth," he said. "I am going to be a better man."

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for both the cultivation charge and possession with intent to supply, but the sentences will run concurrently. The judge also suspended six months of the sentences, meaning that Pitcher will actually only spend six months at Westgate.

The remaining six months will "hang over his head" for a year, meaning that if he fails to comply with his probation or commits another offence during the year he will have to serve the remaining six months of prison time, she said.

Once released from Westgate, Pitcher will spend 18 months on probation.

He was also fined $500 for possessing drug equipment and received an absolute discharge for obstructing officers.