A man gave cannabis to two of his sons so they did not buy it on the street.

James Stanton claimed he needed the drug to help ease the pain caused by a degenerative nerve disorder.

The father-of three had cannabis resin worth £640 when police raided his home at Curtleys Walk, Bewbush, Crawley, last year.

It was enough to make 1,300 cigarettes.

He admitted possessing the drug and appeared at Hove Crown Court for sentence yesterday.

The court heard a further charge of supplying the drug had been ordered to remain on file.

Judge Austin Issard-Davies was also told it would not be in the public interest to prosecute two juveniles in connection with the incident.

He said: "I am being asked to pass sentence on the basis Stanton used cannabis for medical reasons.

"He has been party to allowing his sons to use cannabis for reasons which were misguided rather than well intentioned."

Nicholas Hall, prosecuting, said: "When interviewed by the police he said he preferred to see his sons get it free from him rather than become involved with the usual lines of supply on the street."

In addition to the cannabis, police found £320 in cash at Stanton's home as well as scales and bags used for weighing and wrapping the drug.

Melanie Winterflood, defending, said Stanton's medical condition was an inflammation of the nerves for which there was no known cure.

She said he was the sole carer for his sons and he had since stopped the two boys from using cannabis and had stopped using it himself.

Judge Issard-Davies fined Stanton £320 and said: "I cannot see how anyone who claims to be a responsible parent can decide to supply their own children with cannabis."