A FORMER estate agent caught growing cannabis in her home told police she was making a herbal remedy for her terminally ill-best friend.

Yolanda Baker claimed she was growing cannabis plants in order to make CBD oil - a legal bi-product of cannabis.

The 31-year-old said the oil was for her best friend, who was battling terminal cancer.

But during an appearance at Southampton Crown Court, Baker’s account was questioned by prosecutors, who said the oil was available in high street stores such as Holland and Barrett.

The court heard police visited Baker’s Southampton home at the request of her electricity provider, who requested a warrant in order to fit a new meter.

Officers later contacted Baker and obtained keys to the property, in All Saints Close, Southampton.

Once inside, police found 15 mature cannabis plants, along with ultraviolet lighting and feeding equipment.

Prosecuting, Martyn Booth said the plants had a value of between £2,100 and £6,400, according to police drug analysts.

When interviewed by police, Baker said she was attempting to make CBD oil, a bi-product of cannabis legally recognised in the UK as a “novel food” item in January this year.

Baker said she planned to give the oil to a childhood friend, in a bid to help her deal with the affects of her cancer.

Mitigating on behalf of Baker, Khalid Missouri said: “Her friend, best friend, someone she had known since she was 15, was dying from terminal cancer.

“She was trying all she could to help her friend.”

He added that Baker was also behind a £20,000 fundraising campaign to help pay for her friend’s wedding, which took place at the hospital’s chapel.

Judge James Maxwell-Scott QC sentenced Baker to a 12 month community order, including 120 hours of unpaid work.