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Couple in their 70s sentenced for growing cannabis

Norfolk Police The head and shoulders of Mark Ayres in police custody. He is a man in his 70s with short white hair and a close cropped white beard. He is staring into the camera and is expressionless. Norfolk Police
Mark Ayres was given a prison term after he admitted two charges

A husband and wife in their 70s who had a cannabis-growing operation in their home worth tens of thousands of pounds have been sentenced.

Police searched the home of Mark and Marion Ayres in Burgh Common, Attleborough, in May 2025.

Officers said they found 25 cannabis plants and about 5.7kg of dry cannabis with an estimated street value of more than £46,000.

At Norwich Crown Court on Thursday, Mark Ayres, 71, was given three-and-a-half years in prison while his 70-year-old wife was sentenced to nine months, suspended for 12 months.

Both had pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis, with Mark Ayres, 71, also admitting possession with intent to supply.

Norfolk Police Two images - one on the left of green plants in pots positioned on a floor, the one on the right of dry, balled-up leaves laid out on black circular mesh trays suspended below lampsNorfolk Police
Police carried out a search warrant, finding plants and dry cannabis

Following sentencing Sgt Dan Shelley said: "Drug production and supply can have a hugely damaging impact on our communities and we continue to take action against those responsible.

"We'd encourage anyone who has concerns about drugs in their neighbourhood to report it to police so we can identify and investigate any suspected criminal activity".

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