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Cannabis grandmother found guilty Cannabis grandmother found guilty
(3 days later)
A 68-year-old grandmother has been convicted of growing cannabis at her Northumberland home. A 68-year-old grandmother has been convicted of possessing and growing cannabis at her Northumberland home.
Patricia Tabram, from Humshaugh in Northumberland had denied charges of possessing and cultivating the drug at Carlisle Crown Court. Patricia Tabram, from Humshaugh, near Hexham, had denied the charges at Carlisle Crown Court.
She was arrested after police seized plants and growing equipment from her house in September 2005. She was arrested after police seized four plants and growing equipment from her bungalow in September 2005.
Earlier that year Ms Tabram had been spared jail after admitting possessing cannabis with intent to supply. Earlier that year Ms Tabram had been spared jail after admitting possessing cannabis with intent to supply. Sentencing was delayed for reports.
I am old and I am tired and I am disappointed Patricia Tabram
The pensioner, who defended herself during the trial, is a vocal campaigner for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.The pensioner, who defended herself during the trial, is a vocal campaigner for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
During her trial she claimed that she suffers from medical complaints that cannot be alleviated by conventional treatement. She was in breach of a six-month suspended jail sentence when police, acting on a tip-off, found the plants in a walk-in wardrobe at her home.
When officers searched her house they found the plants and equipment inside a walk-in wardrobe. Ms Tabram also told them there was powder stored in jars in her kitchen to be used in cooking, the court heard.
Ms Tabram also told them there was powder stored in jars in her kitchen to be used in cooking. Speaking after her conviction, she said: "I am old and I am tired and I am disappointed, not in the result by the jury. I am disappointed in the attitude of the court regarding someone my age with my health problems and the way I deal with it.
"I just want to go home and get some rest."