Graham Jones, 65, had never been in trouble with the law before he entered into a ‘lucrative business’ dealing drugs worth tens of thousands of pounds from his home in Birkenhead
A pensioner who kept out of trouble for more than 60 years has been jailed. Graham Jones had never fallen foul of the law before he began operating a “lucrative business” trafficking class A drugs.
When the police turned up at his house, they discovered cocaine and cannabis with a potential street value above £20,000 – and found evidence of previous deals worth thousands more still. He later claimed his “judgement was clouded” by his use of cannabis to self-medicate his epilepsy.
On Wednesday, Liverpool Crown Court heard that Merseyside Police executed a search warrant at Jones’ home in Birkenhead, Merseyside on October 31 2023. Drugs, cash and several mobile phones were found in the 65-year-old’s kitchen and bedroom.
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Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, described how this included 16 separate packages of cocaine at a purity of up to 81%, weighing a total of 160g and valued at between £7,000 and £17,000. There was also 420g of benzocaine, commonly used as a cutting agent in the adulteration of the class A drug. A further six packages of cannabis, weighing 406g and worth more than £4,000, were also seized alongside £3,970 in cash.
A series of messages were found on Jones’ phone highlighting his deep involvement in the trade. One text he received read: “Can you do nine ounces of flake [cocaine]? Knock eight tonne off for you lad. You know it’s 10 out of 10.”
Jones told him he could sell him a quarter of a kilogramme of cocaine at a price of £8,200. He said: “Can meet anywhere convenient with you mate really. Just let me know tomorrow or in a few days.”
He has no previous convictions. Matthew O’Neill, defending, told the court: “He fully accepts that he was not placed under any pressure or threats to become involved in this fairly high level drug dealing. It is very surprising when you consider the background of this defendant.
“He is university educated. He has worked for the majority of his life in construction in well placed jobs, but he now finds himself, at the age of 65, looking at a significant period of time in custody. He has been prepared for that. He has come today with his belongings expecting a period of incarceration.
“Character references give a completely different side to the one before you today of the defendant – a caring person, a person who the two family members sitting at the side of court, his two sisters, describe as a loving, honest individual. When I first met Mr Jones, his attitude towards me was that he fully accepts his offending and fully accepts the punishment that will be imposed in due course.
“He is a man of ill health. He suffers with epilepsy. He started using cannabis approximately five years ago medicinally. He believes his judgement has been clouded ever since he took that decision to use cannabis to treat his epilepsy.”
Jones admitted possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, and was jailed for 32 months. Judge Gary Woodhall said: “Clearly, you were bringing in wholesale amounts for onward distribution, including the adulteration of these drugs. Looking at all of the evidence, it was a lucrative business.
“It is a surprise to hear that you are 65 years of age and that you are of previous good character. You are university educated, you have worked for the majority of your life, and here you are facing a substantial period in custody.
“You say that you were drawn into this business because of your use of cannabis for medicinal reasons, to deal with your epilepsy and sleep. You became involved in a cannabis farm. That led to you being exposed to the class A drug dealing business.
“It is clear that you became involved in what was a lucrative business dealing in class A drugs, no doubt for financial gain. It was your operation. The offending is made more serious because of the scale of the operation and the purity of the drugs.
“There is mitigation, and it is not insignificant. It is found in your ill health, coupled with your age. Secondly, your previous good character and, thirdly, the delay in this case. The telephone evidence appears to be the reason for the delay, despite you effectively being caught red handed. It has been hanging over you for a period of time.”
