A 38-year-old Bristol man who set up a "significant" cannabis growing operation in his home was jailed for two years and nine months.

A police raid in May last year led to the discovery of 60 plants growing in the loft of Paul Shepard's home in Stothard Road, Lockleaze, Bristol, a court heard.

Shepard admitted producing 60 plants of the Class C drug and a second charge that between July 30, 2007 and May 22 last year, he extracted electricity worth £222.

His defence was that the drugs were for personal use rather than for commercial sale, but Judge Martin Picton heard evidence at a trial of issue and ruled that it was a commercial concern.

Shepard's defence barrister Catherine Spedding told Gloucester Crown Court there was "nothing to suggest" that Shepard had been receiving large amounts of money from dealing drugs.

Judge Picton pointed out that a 10-tonne press had been found at the address and there was a hydroponic set-up being powered by electricity which bypassed the meter.

Ms Spedding said Shepard had pervious convictions a number of years ago but nothing relevant.

She said: "He's in full-time employment," adding that he has four children from a previous relationship – the oldest is 19 and the youngest is two years old.

He also had another child due in July, she said.

"It's clear this case has caused a shock," added Ms Spedding, who also said that Shepard no longer took cannabis, which he initially started using for health purposes.

She urged the judge to consider a suspended sentence.

Judge Picton said 60 plants had been found at the raid with a view to selling them for profit and a 10-tonne press was also found.

He said Shepard had sqaundered "virtually all" of his credit for pleading guilty by adopting the "unrealistic" basis of plea, which had forced the trial of issue.

Judge Picton said: "You set up this operation. It was sophisticated. You bypassed the electrical supply."

"It had clearly been going for six weeks or so when the raid took place."

He sentenced Shepard to two years, nine months in prison for producing cannabis with six months concurrent for stealing electricity.