A DRUG-taking Oldbury dad grew cannabis to share out with five-a-side football friends, a court heard.

Raphael Jackson, a father-of-two, claimed he started growing the drug because it was too expensive to buy.

The 27-year-old labourer, of Titford Road, admitted producing cannabis when he appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

He was sentenced to nine months in jail, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work in the community.

Jackson was further ordered to obey an 18-week curfew from 7pm until 7am.