Dopey granddad dealt weed to top up his pension
A GRANDDAD grew weed to top up his pension and pay for his FUNERAL, a court heard.
Arthur Merrick spent his 72nd birthday in court after he was found with cannabis in his flat.
But the OAP's money-spinning scheme went to pot when police closed in - and he ended up in the dock in front of a judge on his 72nd birthday.
He is of limited means and it is that which led him into offending in this way
Merrick, a father-of-five and grandfather-of-13, wanted to earn more than his £170-a-week pension and quickly built up a network of about 20 buyers.
The remorseful pensioner told the court he only supplied people over 35, including some who were using cannabis for "medicinal" purposes.
Merrick, of Norwich, escaped jail as he was told by Judge Nicholas Coleman: "It was a calculated act to generate funds." The former bricklayer and taxi driver, who moved from London five years ago, admitted growing 40 cannabis plants.
Merrick was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
The disgraced OAP was ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and pay £250 costs.
Martin Ivory, prosecuting, told Norwich Crown Court that Merrick had been frank with police about what he had done and admitted he'd done it to make money.
Michael Clare, defending, said he used the cash to run his car and buy vodka.
Mr Clare said: "He is of limited means and it is that which led him into offending in this way." He said Merrick got a pension of £170 a week.
Sentencing him, Judge Coleman said: "It was not a particularly sophisticated operation.
"You have learnt your lesson."
Speaking after the case, Merrick insisted: "I wouldn't deal with youngsters.
"Some of them used it as medication.
"One bloke up the road had a big operation.
"He said what the doctor gave him he couldn't sleep with but with a joint or two at night he could sleep.
"Most of them said they could have it so they could relax and unwind in the evening.
"I considered in one way that I was doing the community a bit of a favour."
Merrick started growing the drug to pay get his car fixed and thought it might cover the cost of his funeral.
"I wanted the money to pay for my funeral before I die because I don't want my kids to be burdened with it," he said.
Merrick grew the drugs in a spare room in his flat and used his own electricity, which cost him about £50 a week.
"In total after expenses I don't suppose I made £400 - certainly not enough to get the car fixed," he admitted.
Merrick said he never used any of the drugs himself and wished he had not got involved.
"I know it was all wrong.
"I do regret it," he said.
"I really thought I was going to go to prison."
