Pubdate: Wed, 07 Mar 2007
Source: Journal, The (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Trinity Mirror Plc.
Contact:  http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/thejournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3752

GRANDMOTHER GUILTY OF GROWING DRUGS

A grandmother who advocates cooking with cannabis was found guilty of
growing and possessing the drug by a jury who deliberated for just 15
minutes.

Patricia Tabram, 68, was in breach of a six-month suspended jail
sentence when police, acting on a tip-off, found four plants growing
in a wardrobe at her bungalow in Humshaugh, Northumberland, in
September 2005.

They also found powdered cannabis in a jar next to her
cooker.

The jury heard Tabram's claims that she used cannabis to ease her
depression, as well as aches and pains she still suffers from two car
crashes.

The jury of six men and six women came back with unanimous guilty
verdicts for the two counts, one of possessing the drug and one of
cultivating it.

Judge Barbara Forrester postponed sentencing to a later date so
reports can be prepared.

Tabram, who is defending herself, told the court: "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."

Before the proceedings, the grandmother of two said she was unafraid
of going to prison. "I will be with all women in there and they will
treat me like a queen. I will be everyone's granny in there. I won't
have any medicine, I suppose. I will have to ask my son to bring in my
walking stick and neck brace."

She was given a suspended six-month jail sentence at Newcastle Crown
Court in April 2005 by Judge David Hodson after she was found with
plants and cannabis worth UKP850, which she used to make curries,
casseroles, biscuits and soups for local people. The judge that day
declined to make her "a martyr" by jailing her.

She described the police who arrested her as "gentlemen" and warmly
greeted Tom Moran, prosecuting, as he came into court. 
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