A chronic pot smoker knew he was in trouble when police discovered nearly two kilograms of cannabis, estimated to be worth more than $14,000, stashed in his room.
Alan Keith Kinnell, who was jailed over the drug find in Wollongong Local Court yesterday, said: "I'm f---ed, aren't I?" when officers discovered the hefty haul, hidden in a backpack in his Gwynneville home.
Magistrate Ian Guy sentenced the 51-year-old to a minimum five months behind bars for the drug charge, as well as separate driving offences.
Kinnell immediately appealed the term and was released on bail pending a hearing on November 16.
Kinnell had just harvested the cannabis from his backyard when police attached to the Wollongong Drug Unit arrived at his home on April 3, the court was told.
Kinnell invited police to search his house but officers found nothing until they searched Kinnell's room, discovering several bags of cannabis in a backpack hanging from his bedroom door.
Kinnell told police there was "a lot" of pot in the bag, admitting he was a chronic user, but denied supplying the drug. He later pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis and unrelated mid-range drink-driving and driving-while-cancelled charges.
Defence solicitor William Whitby told the court Kinnell had been growing his own pot and occasionally gave some to friends but said there was no evidence he was supplying it in the area.
Mr Whitby said his client had taken steps to rehabilitate himself, including weaning himself off cannabis. His severity appeal is set to be heard on November 16.