70-YEAR-OLD CANNABIS GROWER JAILED

A pensioner who is believed to be Britain's oldest convicted drug
dealer was jailed for 18 months yesterday after a court heard that he
had more than 400 cannabis plants in his greenhouse.

George Axton, 70, was found guilty of cultivating and conspiracy to
supply the drug at an earlier trial and was sentenced at Winchester
Crown Court yesterday. The court heard that the drugs were worth UKP150,000.

Axton, who runs a care home for young adults in Fordingbridge, Hants,
was in court with Richard Kershaw, 29, who was sentenced to 15 months
and Gavin Harries, 30, who helped tend the crop and was jailed for a
year. Both were convicted of the same charges as Axton.

David Stone, 32, admitted cultivating cannabis and possession of the
Class C drug and was jailed for 18 months.