Falklands veteran who grew cannabis plants at Walsall pub he was running spared jail

Alan Jones pleaded guilty to growing 26 plants in a Walsall pub while he was working as landlord.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the 63-year-old had been running The Oak Inn, Green Lane.

It was raided by police who found the plants and other growing equipment on December 20.

Jones of Mill Lane, Quinton, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and given a 12 month supervision order.

He was also ordered to pay £535 court costs after registering an early plea for production of a class B drug.

Recorder John Edwards said Jones was clearly a man of intelligence who had served his country with distinction.

But he added it was no excuse for growing illegal drugs and a man in his position, working as a landlord, should have known better.

He said: "You were running a pub and got an injury.

"I expect you wanted to alleviate the pain but it is still a serious criminal offence to grow cannabis, particularly as landlord of a pub.

"You should have known better."

Jones had served in the army during the Falklands conflict in 1982.

Miss Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said had suffered with arthritis for the last 20 years.

She said: "Police found 26 cannabis plants following a search on December 20 last year.

"He said they were personal use and would last him for about 12 months.

"It was the second crop he had grown because the first had not been successful.

Miss Cortese said police had also found compost and other growing equipment at the pub.

She said six food bags containing cannabis had also been found but Jones had told police they were not to be sold to anyone else.

The court heard that Jones also told police he did not know about the handbag, which had been found in the pub full of cash.

Mr Gurdeep Garcha, defending, said Jones had lost his job as landlord following his arrest.

He said: "Not surprisingly the licensing committee invited him to leave the pub as landlord.

"It means he is now out of work and losing his job also meant he could not afford his rent and he lost his accommodation.

"He is currently living on benefits."