Grandparents who ran a cannabis supply operation from their Liverpool home walked free from court.
David Deane, 61, and Sandra McCoombe, 53, were stopped by police on the evening of 25 February 2015. When officers found cannabis in McCoombe's handbag and in the footwell at the front of the car, the couple were arrested.
When police decided to search the couple's home in south Liverpool they found a cannabis farm, just under £60,000 in cash and a silver revolver.
Philip Hall, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown court that Mrs McCoombe was "nervous and obstructive" when police stopped the couple's car in February 2015.
He said: "Officers said there was a strong smell of weed from the couple's car. Mrs McCoombe was seen to fidget and became obstructive. Police found some cannabis in her handbag, and then a larger amount of the drug in the footwell of the car worth around £3,000. "
Mr Hall explained how, after the couple were taken to a police station, officers executed a search warrant at their home in south Liverpool. Officers found a cannabis farm, drugs paraphernalia, around £59,000 in cash and a silver revolver.
Mr Hall said: "A cannabis farm was found in one of the bedrooms. There was a silver growing tent, fans and lighting equipment."
Mr Hall explained how officers also found a gun in one of the bedrooms. He said: "It was a Brocock gas cartridge 22 revolver. " Mr Hall said that the gun did not have ammunition with it. When officers later tested the gun it fired.
The couple also had a number of legally held guns in their home including a replica AK47.
Nick Walker, defending, said that Dean was a father and grandfather. His last criminal conviction was from over 40 years ago.
Mr Walker said that there had been a 43 month delay in the prosecution of the court case, and that the couple were worried about the health of their mother-in-law. He added: "He has been very stupid and let his family down."
Mark Phillips, defending McCoombe, said that she had no previous convictions and was a good mum and grandmother. He said: "They did not enjoy a lavish lifestyle and are now remorseful.
"It has been a very worrying time for them."
Deane, 61, of Charlecote Street, had pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property . At today's hearing he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm without a certificate. McCoombe, 53, also of Charlecotte Street, had pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.
Judge Louise Brandon, said that the couple had probably agreed to look after the drug round for a friend. Judge Brandon said that photographs of the couple's home suggested there were not any 'considerable profits' involved.
Discussing the Brocock revolver, Judge Brandon said: "It was a genuine working firearm but did not have any ammunition with it. It was a dangerous item but there is not evidence that it was every used for an unlawful purpose."
Judge Brandon said there had been an 'unacceptable delay' in the prosecution of the case which had been "stressful" for the defendant's family. She said that the couple's daughter had written to her to explain how the case had affected the family.
Deane was jailed for 16 months and McCoombe was jailed for 10 months. Both sentences were suspended.
