A grandmother who campaigned for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has been convicted of possessing and growing the drug.
A grandmother who campaigned for the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has been convicted of possessing and growing the drug.
Patricia Tabram, from Humshaugh, near Hexham, had denied the charges at Carlisle Crown Court.
Patricia Tabram, from Humshaugh, near Hexham, had denied the charges at Carlisle Crown Court.
Police seized four plants and growing equipment from her bungalow in 2005.
Police seized four plants and growing equipment from her bungalow in 2005.
Earlier that year the 68-year-old was spared jail after admitting possessing cannabis with intent to supply. She may be sentenced on Wednesday afternoon.
Earlier that year the 68-year-old was spared jail after admitting possessing cannabis with intent to supply. She may be sentenced on Wednesday afternoon.
I am old and I am tired and I am disappointed Patricia Tabram
I am old and I am tired and I am disappointed Patricia Tabram
She was in breach of a six-month suspended jail sentence for the 2005 conviction when police, acting on a tip-off, found the plants in a walk-in wardrobe at her home.
She was in breach of a six-month suspended jail sentence for the 2005 conviction when police, acting on a tip-off, found the plants in a walk-in wardrobe at her home.
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, the court heard.
Speaking after her conviction, she said: "I am old and I am tired and I am disappointed, not in the result by the jury.
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 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."
"I just want to go home and get some rest."
Tabram said she was not afraid of going to prison
Tabram said she was not afraid of going to prison
Judge Barbara Forrester said she could not rule out a jail term because Tabram was in breach of the suspended sentence.
Before appearing in court, the grandmother-of-two claimed she was "not afraid" of going to prison.
Speaking before Wednesday's proceedings the grandmother-of-two said she was not afraid of going to prison.
She said she would be "everyone's granny" and would be "treated like a queen".
She said she would be "everyone's granny" and would be "treated like a queen".
Judge David Hodson refused to jail Tabram in 2005, saying he did not want to make her a martyr.
In 2005, Judge David Hodson refused to jail Tabram, saying he did not want to make her a martyr.
Speaking after the conviction, the Chief Crown Prosecutor, Nicola Reasbeck said: "In this country the cultivation of cannabis is illegal and, as the judge told the jury in this case, medical necessity is not a legal defence to such a charge.
But on Wednesday Judge Barbara Forrester said she could not rule out a jail term because Tabram was in breach of the suspended sentence.
"Mrs Tabram has made it clear that she thinks the law needs to be changed and we have made it equally clear that if she breaks the law we will consider a prosecution."
'Drug abuse'
Following the conviction, a Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Patricia Tabram has consistently flouted the law and Northumbria Police has a duty to act on the information we receive concerning possessing and cultivating drugs in order to enforce this law.
"We take drug abuse very seriously and are keen to use all tools at our disposal to eliminate drug dealing and use in the community."
The Crown Prosecution Service said medicinal use of cannabis was not a legal defence to possession and cultivation of the drug.
Do you think cannabis use should be legal for medicinal purposes? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
Do you think cannabis use should be legal for medicinal purposes? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
