A CASH-STRAPPED granny decided to start dealing cannabis to raise money for Christmas, a court heard.

Blackburn magistrates heard Susan Rodwell had started using cannabis for pain relief but turned it into a profit maker after friends asked her to supply them.

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Rodwell, 63, of Sandwich Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis and possessing the drug.

She was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said a drugs warrant was executed at the defendant’s home and, during the search, bags of cannabis were found hidden in various locations.

The police recovered 44 £10 bags and 18 £20 bags of cannabis.

“She immediately admitted it was cannabis and said she had started selling to get some money for Christmas,” said Mrs Geldard.

Ian Huggan, defending, said: Rodwell had raised her children as a single parent and then her grandchildren. Her daughter had died in London while she was on witness protection as a witness to a murder.

“She was using cannabis for pain relief, and friends became aware and asked her to provide to them,” said Mr Huggan.

“She did that and it spiralled from there as they told their friends.”