A DAYLESFORD man who pleaded guilty to trafficking cannabis turned to drugs because he was racked with guilt over the drowning of his neighbour's child, a court heard ast week.

The Ballarat Magistrates Court heard Brett Matheson, 38, was at a picnic at Lake Daylesford when the boy entered the water and got into difficulty in February 2007.

Matheson and another man jumped into the lake, but were unable to save 14-year-old Shaun Koskie.

Five local teenage boys also tried to help but were unsuccessful.

Matheson's defence lawyer Jim Buchecker yesterday told the court his client had struggled to deal with feelings of guilt following the accident.

He said Matheson had not had counselling and instead returned to using and cultivating cannabis.

The court heard police found 22 cannabis plants growing in Matheson's backyard in April this year as well as 22 individual packets each containing about an ounce of cannabis in a freezer. Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Damon Saunders said 20 of the plants had been recently harvested and the other two were in the early stages

of cultivation.

Sen Const Saunders said Matheson admitted to harvesting the crop and said the cannabis was for personal use.

Matheson last week pleaded guilty to cultivating, possessing, using and trafficking cannabis.

Magistrate Kay Robertson told Matheson there were serious penalties for drug charges.

She noted that Matheson had prior convictions for trafficking and cultivating cannabis, but had not been in trouble since 2002.

"I'm aware of the tragic drowning in 2007, and I'm aware that would have had a profound impact on you," she said.

However, Ms Robertson said it was "most unfortunate" that Matheson had reverted to old habits and turned to cannabis.

Matheson was sentenced to six months' jail to be served in the community by way of an Intensive Corrections Order.