A man caught with more than 200 cannabis plants in East Dunbartonshire told police he "didn't know that tree was illegal", a court heard.

Ngan Le, 52, was in a house in Bishopbriggs when police carried out a raid and discovered the plants, valued between £75,000 and £150,000.

Le, originally from Vietnam, was detained and later told officers "I didn't know that tree was illegal."

On Wednesday at Glasgow Sheriff Court he pled guilty to producing cannabis and being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug between December 2017 and February 2018.

The court heard police turned up at the Avon Road house on February 26 with a search warrant.

Procurator fiscal depute Kathleen O'Donnell said police found 211 plants when they searched the property

She added: "A walk through of the property was conducted by police and it was noted there was a further three growing areas with two bedrooms on the first floor and in the attic space.

"The accused did state to police officers, through an interpreter, 'I don't know that tree is illegal'."

Defence lawyer Paul Anderson will give his mitigation on the next occasion but said he will be referring to pictures of the property where Le had "makeshift accommodation at best".

Sheriff Johanna Johnston QC deferred sentence for reports and remanded Le in custody.