A BRIERLEY Hill pensioner was caught with over £32,000 worth of cannabis after he decided to return to drug dealing to help resolve his money troubles.

Robert Whitelaw, who also used the controlled drug to help his medical problems, had not sold cannabis for 19 years after serving a number of prison sentences in this country and in France.

Judge Robin Onions said it was clear the 65-year-old had been a fairly persistent dealer of cannabis which had been a "consistent threat throughout his life."

He added: "Then, in 2013, you ran into financial difficulties and you found a drug dealer who would supply you with cannabis to ease your problems.

"You went in with your eyes open in the knowledge of what would happen if you were caught. You were going to sell these drugs for a profit."

Whitelaw, of Mill Street, admitted possessing cannabis and a small amount of cocaine with intent to supply having been caught with drugs valued at a total of £34,500 when police officers raided his home. He was jailed for 16 months.

Sharonjit Bahia, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that in 1981 Whitelaw had been jailed for six years for conspiracy to supply drugs while in 1995 he had been locked up for two years in France for importing controlled drugs.

John Evans, for Whitelaw, said his client’s home was in the hands of a bank after he defaulted on his mortgage payments and he obtained the drugs at the right price intending to make a profit of up to £6,000.

He said the drugs were an alternative to the prescription medicines he was taking for a number of health issues including arthritis, liver problems and gout.