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| Cannabis grandmother found guilty | Cannabis grandmother found guilty |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| 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 |
| Before appearing in court, the grandmother-of-two claimed she was "not afraid" of going to prison. | Before appearing in court, the grandmother-of-two claimed 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". |
| In 2005, Judge David Hodson refused to jail Tabram, 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. |
| But on Wednesday Judge Barbara Forrester said she could not rule out a jail term because Tabram was in breach of the suspended sentence. | But on Wednesday Judge Barbara Forrester said she could not rule out a jail term because Tabram was in breach of the suspended sentence. |
| 'Drug abuse' | '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. | 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Shame that nobody ever admits drug policy in the UK is a complete and utter failure Peter, Croydon class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5725&start=0&edition=1&ttl=20070307151150">Send us your comments "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. | 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: |