A couple in their 60s have been sentenced for their involvement in their grandson's cannabis operation after police discovered 18 plants and a sophisticated growing system in their Salford home. Paul Harrison, 64, and Julie Harrison, 67, pleaded guilty to drug offences at Manchester Crown Court.
Discovery of Cannabis Operation
Prosecuting, Hannah Forsyth said that a warrant was executed at the couple's home in September 2021. Cannabis plants were found along with a 'sophisticated' set-up including fans, lighting and heat shielding material. The drugs were part of the operation run by their grandson, Tyler Harrison. It appeared that Julie Harrison would 'at times bag up cannabis deals when asked to do so'. Paul Harrison's role was to allow the premises to be used. There was no evidence of the couple receiving 'direct payment'.
Defence and Sentencing
Defending Julie Harrison, Ian McMeekin said that she had been on bail for 'many years'. In a meeting with the probation service, Paul Harrison claimed the cannabis was grown for 'medicinal purposes', which sentencing judge Paul Lawton described as 'nonsense'. For Paul Harrison, Ben Kaufman said that the defendant had 'panicked' during the interview.
The judge told the defendants: 'You are both in your 60s, you are grandparents. You allowed yourselves to be dragged into the filthy trade of your grandson, Tyler. I am quite satisfied he probably pressurised both of you to some extent. You have been on bail for years and have cost the taxpayer a great deal of money. It has been a salutary lesson in both cases.'
Paul Harrison pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and Julie Harrison pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis. The couple, both of Kent Street, Swinton, were sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge.
Grandson's Previous Sentencing
Tyler Harrison, 21, was previously sentenced to eight years and 10 months in prison after being found guilty of wounding with intent; and pleading guilty to supply of class A and B drugs, money laundering, and possession with intent to supply both class A and class B drugs. He was one of three people sentenced after a man was shot in Little Hulton in May 2024. Gunshots were blasted at a property, with 20-year-old Samuel Adesanya shot in the chest.
The court heard that at around 9.28pm, the three defendants, along with four others, pulled up outside the house in a stolen Vauxhall Insignia. Most of the men in the group were armed at the time of the shooting, with one carrying a loaded firearm and others holding machetes and 'zombie' knives. They began 'banging and shouting' on windows before using the weapons to smash the windows of a car and the house in a 'deliberate attempt to frighten' those inside. The victim, Mr Adesanya, was a visitor at the home and was in the hallway when he was shot. He was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries but survived.
