A FORMER Amy medic who saw a close friend die in his arms has been given a chance to avoid a prison sentence for growing cannabis at his Bradford flat.

Nathan Dixon served in Afghanistan and Iraq during an Army career lasting more than six years, but the 30-year-old left the service in 2010 and his barrister said he appeared to have "suffered in silence" with what he had experienced.

Bradford Crown Court heard today that father-of-one Dixon's marriage had subsequently broken down and he started using cannabis.

In April police officers acting on a tip-off raided Dixon's flat in Tynwald House, Holme Wood, and discovered more than 60 cannabis plants being grown in the bedrooms.

Prosecutor Paul Nicholson said Dixon had also been illegally abstracting more than £2,000 of electricity and there was evidence of a previous cannabis crop.

Mr Nicholson said the plants could have produced nearly three kilograms of the Class B drug which would have been worth about £25,000 on the streets.

Dixon admitted charges of cannabis production and abstracting electricity and today Judge Mark Savill decided his 24-month prison sentence could be suspended for two years.

Barrister Soheil Khan, for Dixon, said his client had come to court in fear of an immediate prison, but he hoped that the judge could take an exceptional course at a time when the country honoured those who had served it.

Mr Khan said Dixon had completed three active tours with the Army and had seen on more than one occasion the death of those near and dear to him.

The court heard that a close friend of Dixon's had died in his arms after a roadside bomb denoted near him.

After hearing evidence from Dixon at a previous hearing, Judge Savill concluded that there had been a commercial element to the cannabis growing, but he stressed that it was not a case of the defendant living the high life on earnings from drugs.

The judge said the man who gave evidence was "completely different" from the non-commissioned officer who was involved in combat situations prior to 2010.

Judge Savill said he had taken account of Dixon's efforts to reduce his cannabis use and to seek help with his mental health difficulties.

The judge said Dixon deserved to go to prison for the drugs offence, but society as whole was entitled to say to someone who had served their country and suffered to the extent that he had that they deserved a chance to be assisted.

As part of the suspended prison sentence Dixon, of St Margaret's Avenue, Holme Wood, will have to comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement and a nine-month drug rehabilitation order.

"Up until 2010 it seems to me your were a thoroughly decent man," the judge told Dixon.

"You served your country with some distinction."

The judge said Dixon had left the Army due to the stress caused during his service and he seemed to be someone suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

Judge Savill said on this one occasion Dixon was entitled to some degree of benefit for his service to the country.

"I'm giving you a chance. Please take it," he told the defendant.