Couple in 70s jailed for running cannabis farm from home

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 18:38 · Archive

A 71-year-old man and his 70-year-old wife were jailed after running a cannabis farm at their £1m home near Attleborough.

Mark Ayres, 71, and Marion Ayres, 70, were sentenced at Norwich Crown Court after being caught running a cannabis farm at their £1m home on a quiet lane near Attleborough. Police raided the property in May last year and found more than 5kg of cannabis worth £46,000.

The couple, who had been married for more than 50 years, both admitted drug offences. Mark admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis and production of cannabis. Marion admitted production of cannabis over a limited period. The prosecution said the warrant was executed after the enterprise came to light as being "ongoing and of some significance".

Mark had been diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and conducted research into the medicinal benefits of cannabis. He began growing the drug at a former gym in his home when his disease returned in 2023. Recorder John Hardy, sentencing, said the couple had led "blameless lives" and "should've been looking forward to the golden years of retirement", but Mark had "developed a business which you hid behind a veneer of respectability". Mark received three-and-a-half years in prison. Marion was sentenced to nine months imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

How it is being reported

• Couple in their 70s caught running cannabis farm in their remote £1m homeA 71-year-old who produced more than 5kg of cannabis with his wife has been jailed.Norwich Evening News · 5 Nov, 18:15
• Couple in their 70s caught running cannabis farm in their remote £1m homeA 71-year-old who produced more than 5kg of cannabis with his wife has been jailed.Eastern Daily Press · 5 Nov, 18:15

In this story: Mark Ayres · Marion Ayres · Norwich Crown Court · Attleborough · Norfolk

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