Milkman supplied drugs to elderly

A milkman supplied cannabis to pensioners to ward off their aches and pains, a court heard.

Robert Holding, 72, delivered the drug while doing his rounds to 17 customers he had built up through "word-of-mouth", Burnley Crown Court was told.

Judge Beverley Lunt said Mr Holding said in his police statement that the cannabis was for "elderly people who had aches and pains".

Mr Holding, of Fair View Road, Burnley, admitted supplying cannabis.

Custodial sentence

He also admitted possessing cannabis resin and will be sentenced at a later date.

Philip Holden, for the defence, said Holding's customers "were of a certain age" and he built up his clientele through "word of mouth".

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report. Holding was released on bail and will be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on 6 February.

Judge Lunt warned him: "You must understand these are serious offences and in my judgment the likely outcome is an immediate custodial sentence."