Pubdate: Fri, 08 Apr 2005
Source: BBC News (UK Web)
Copyright: 2005 BBC
Contact:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/558
Cited:   http://www.ccguide.org.uk/pattabram.php (Pat Tabram)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Tabram (Patricia Tabram)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

DRUG-DEALING GRANNY SPARED JAIL

A 66-year-old grandmother from Northumberland has been spared jail by a 
judge for drug dealing.

Judge David Hodson said he would not make a martyr of Patricia Tabram, who 
had admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply from her home.

The former chef appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday after making 
cannabis-laced soups and casseroles for herself and friends.

Tabram was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

She was arrested at her home at Humshaugh near Hexham, after police seized 
31 cannabis plants growing in her loft and another from her hallway table.

Judge Hodson, the Recorder of Newcastle, said the offence was so serious 
only a jail sentence was appropriate, however he would not be making her a 
martyr.

He said: "People in this part of the world cannot fail to have noticed that 
you have been caught up in a media circus.

'Eventful life'

"It might be that you have been trying to tempt the courts into making a 
martyr of you. I am not going to do this.

"I consider that this offence merits imprisonment which I fix at six 
months. However, I am persuaded that there are exceptional circumstances 
which justifies a suspension of the sentence for a period of two years."

Carl Gumsley, defending, told the judge: "She maintains she will continue 
taking cannabis and I do not suggest to the court that she has given it up.

"What she has said, notwithstanding her own views, is that she will not 
supply it to any other person."

In mitigation, Mr Gumsley added that the former chef had led an "eventful" 
life and had suffered from several episodes of mental illness over the years.

Bedside cabinet

The grandmother-of-two began cooking for friends using food sprinkled with 
the illegal drug after being introduced to it last year.

Northumbria Police were tipped off about the savoury smells and activities 
coming from Tabram's bungalow and twice raided her house last May and June.

They found cannabis plants growing in her loft, another one from her 
hallway table as well as individual portions of the drug in her fridge and 
on her bedside cabinet.

She is writing a book about her experiences called Grandma Eats Cannabis.

Tabram said she had been travelling to the Byker district of Newcastle 
regularly to buy cannabis.

She met a dealer in Hexham after her friends said they also wanted some of 
the Class C drug. Police raided her home a day after she took delivery of 
the cannabis.
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