A WOMAN who grew cannabis plants on a window sill escaped jail by a whisker , she was told this week. Instead, Dulcie Green will be supervised by the probation service for the next year, and the drugs seized from her Soham home will be destroyed. Police

A WOMAN who grew cannabis plants on a window sill escaped jail "by a whisker", she was told this week.

Instead, Dulcie Green will be supervised by the probation service for the next year, and the drugs seized from her Soham home will be destroyed.

Police executed a search warrant at Green's West Drive Gardens property in April, and everyone there was detained and searched.

On a window sill in the hallway there were six plants being grown. Some herbal cannabis was found in a clear plastic bag in Green's handbag, and there was more of the drug on the living room table.

Green told police the cannabis was for her own use, and at an earlier court hearing she admitted cannabis cultivation and possessing cannabis.

The court heard Green had missed three appointments with the probation service. Solicitor Jacqui Baldwin said Green had suffered from a chest infection, and had medical certificates.

"She had previous problems with alcohol. She reduced her use of alcohol and started to use cannabis to a greater extent. The probation service could help her with her underlying problems."

Presiding magistrate Maggie Holling told Green: "We have considered giving you a custodial sentence, the only reason we did not go down that road is that we feel you had genuine reasons for not attending the probation appointments, you are clearly not well."

Green must pay £50 court costs.