Gran 'passionate about cannabis'

Patricia Tabram is defending herself during the court case

A 68-year-old grandmother accused of growing cannabis at her Northumberland home is passionate about using the drug for pain relief, a court has heard.

Police seized plants and growing equipment from Patricia Tabram's house near Hexham in September 2005.

On Monday, Carlisle Crown Court was told that Ms Tabram suffers from medical complaints that cannot be alleviated by conventional medicine.

The pensioner denies charges of possessing and cultivating cannabis.

The court heard that Ms Tabram had fully co-operated with police and had directed officers to a bedroom where cannabis plants were growing in a wardrobe.

She believes she should be able to take cannabis to do what conventional medicine cannot do Tom Moran, prosecuting

She also told them there was powder stored in jars in her kitchen to be used in cooking.

Officers seized four plants, growing equipment and powdered samples of the drug - which the prosecution claims was for her personal use - from her house in the village of Humshaugh.

Tom Moran, prosecuting, told Carlisle Crown Court: "Mrs Tabram is somebody who passionately believes in the use of cannabis as a way of relieving pain.

"She says she suffers symptoms from various unfortunate health problems that are, she says, not alleviated by conventional medicine.

Ice cream

"She believes she should be able to take cannabis to do what conventional medicine cannot do."

The amount recovered was consistent with it being for her own use, he added.

Ms Tabram, defending herself, cross-examined Sgt Alan Clement, who was part of the police raid.

She said she had asked him to take 22 boxes of curries, casseroles, biscuits, cake and ice cream as evidence to prove she only used the drug for cooking.

The case continues.