Four members of a Lichfield family are facing jail after confessing in front of a jury to peddling cannabis. They and a friend had initially pleaded not guilty.

Tina and Richard Gair – the parents of 12 children – their daughter Kerry and son Duane, together with family friend Patsy Lenton, all admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis to addicts in the city.

They were caught after a police undercover surveillance operation, Stafford Crown Court heard.

Officers watched drug deals taking place and finally carried out a search on the Gairs’ home in Meadowbrook Road.

Their wholesale stash of cannabis was never found, but Tina Gair’s mobile phone revealed drug-dealing text messages and a “dealer’s list” was also found.

Three other defendants in the case, Duane Gair’s twin brother Shane, Kerry Gair’s partner Christopher Hines and a teenage girl who cannot be named were acquitted by the jury at the request of the prosecution. They all denied conspiracy.

The five who changed their not guilty pleas on the seventh day of the trial, were all remanded on bail for reports and will be sentenced at Birmingham crown court on November 20. They were warned they face prison sentences.

The jury heard that none of the Gairs had a job and were claiming state benefits, including income support, tax credits, carers’ allowance and child benefit.

Mr Tim Harrington, prosecuting, branded mum Tina Gair the head of the family and the head of their drug “business”.