This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tyne/6426831.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Cannabis grandmother found guilty | Cannabis grandmother found guilty |
| (10 minutes 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 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." | HAVE YOUR SAY Shame that nobody ever admits drug policy in the UK is a complete and utter failure Peter, Croydon 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. |