A LISS man jailed for cultivating a cannabis crop worth tens of thousands of pounds was freed by the Appeal Court so he could return home and care for his ailing wife.

John Stroud, of Hatch Lane, was jailed for two years in August last year after admitting producing a prohibited drug and possession with intent to supply.

His wife, Patricia, 65, who is stricken by multiple sclerosis, pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court to being concerned in the production of cannabis, for which she received a 12-month sentence suspended for two years.

Quashing StroudÕs original sentence Lord Justice Auld said it was clear the 63-year-old was now needed at home in Liss to tend to his wife, who had herself resorted to cannabis Òto give her some relief for her physical conditionÓ.

In recent months she had suffered five falls around the house due to failing health, said the judge, and in those Òwholly exceptional circumstancesÓ there were grounds for allowing StroudÕs release.

ÒHe is her principal and only carer,Ó Lord Justice Auld observed.

The judge, sitting with Mr Justice Aitkens and Mr Justice Grigson, substituted a two-year suspended sentence.

He said it was Òaccepted on all sidesÓ that the coupleÕs son Simon was Òthe driving force behind this enterpriseÓ at the coupleÕs farm in Hatch Lane.

Simon Stroud received a four-year sentence for his role in the scheme.

When police raided the farm in February 2001 they found what they described as Òa cannabis factory with all its distinct components.Ó

Officers found growing rooms, high-powered lights and a nursery area holding more than 100 young plants.

The total street value of the factoryÕs output since its start-up was put at more than £200,000, and a £56,000 court confiscation order was later made against the couple.

At the end of MondayÕs hearing, Lord Justice Auld adjourned the coupleÕs separate appeal against the confiscation order to enable further expert evidence to be gathered.