Government property, claims that he lied to Police during a statement.

The man told authorities that his lawyer advised him to answer their questions, but yesterday he revealed to a Supreme Court jury that he never spoke to a lawyer.

"I just wanted to do it (the Police interview) and get out of there,'' he said.

Parris Smith, of South Terrance, has denied cultivating cannabis between December 1, 1995 and March 7, 1996.

During an early morning search of Smith's home and backyard, Narcotics officers discovered cannabis plants growing in 44 pots, in a fenced area, within a garden.

Smith, testifying in his own defence, yesterday told the six-man, six-woman jury that he lied to Police about consulting a lawyer because he was scared.

And he claimed that he answered questions despite the fact that he wanted to stop the Police interview.

"I had come so far (in the interview) so I continued with it,'' Smith said.

"I really wanted a lawyer with me.'' According to Det. Con. Alex Severin, during the Police interview Smith said he planted the cannabis himself sometime in December 1995 for his personal use.

"I'm a Rasta man,'' Smith told Police. "We use the marijuana as a burnt offering for the Father.'' Det. Con. Severin said Smith also admitted that he knew that it was an offence to grow cannabis.

The investigating officer also recalled the March 7, 1996 Police search of Smith's home that led to his arrest.

"We went to an embankment and there I saw a small fenced-in area camouflaged by shrubbery,'' Det. Con. Severin recalled. "Inside that area I saw a number of plants growing in pots. The plants appeared to be cannabis plants.'' He said he also found some more plants in a home-made greenhouse to the right of some chicken coops.

Det. Con. Severin said the plants ranged from seedlings to three-feet tall.

And he said that he arrested Smith on the spot.

"I asked him who owned the property and he said the Government,'' the investigating officer said. "He said he had been using the land for five or six years.'' Smith during his testimony denied saying anything to Police, telling the court that he "went quiet'' as soon as the Police charged him.

The Senior Land Surveyor confirmed that the land in question, near the Victor Scott School, belonged to the Government which purchased it in 1925. And Government analyst Kevin Leask told the jury that the plant material uncovered by Police was indeed cannabis.

Mr. Leask said that in addition to the plants he also examined seeds and plant stocks.

The case continues today before Chief Justice Austin Ward with Charlene Scott appearing for the Crown and Victoria Pearman for the defence.