AN occasional cannabis smoker used the drug daily to combat headaches after being viciously attacked on Winchester railway station, a judge heard.

Nathanial Lang was arrested by police after they had called at his home on an unrelated matter but smelt cannabis. In a bag, they found about £800 worth of skunk cannabis and in a tent in a bedroom, they discovered ten cannabis plants, said prosecutor Edward Phillips.

Lang, 34, of High Street, Eastleigh, admitted producing cannabis and possessing it.

He received a two year conditional discharge after defence barrister Thomas Horder described how he was hospitalised following the attack.

"His life changed. He lost confidence, suffered headaches and used cannabis every day. It led him to growing it."

He had now stopped using it and had voluntarily sought help from a specialist treatment agency.

Judge Keith Cutler told Lang the production of cannabis could not be tolerated. "I have had accounts of people having pain and why they use cannabis but nothing can condone or excuse a criminal offence."