A grandmother who stashed more than £4,000 of drug money in a biscuit tin has been jailed for three years for drug dealing.

Elizabeth Hendry, 63, of Highgate, was found guilty of eight counts of possessing drugs, including heroin and cocaine, with intent to supply.

Police officers found around £4,000 worth of class A and B drugs in her Highgate West Hill flat in March 2012 and more than £4,000 in cash inside a biscuit tin, as well as drugs equipment.

While officers were searching the flat, she was seen to open a window and throw things out of the window, police said.

After Hendry was arrested, she said she had become addicted to heroin after her husband had died five years previously and claimed that a man called Curly had forced her into selling drugs by threatening her at gunpoint.

But at her trial at Blackfriars Crown Court, the jury found she was not under duress from anyone to sell the drugs after seeing diary entries and text messages detailing drug transactions.

She was found guilty on eight counts of possession with intent to supply of class A, B and C drugs including heroin, cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and methadone before being sentenced to three years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court last week.

Investigating officer Det Con Alex Stavrou said: “I am extremely happy with this result and as bizarre as it appears on her appearance alone, as a result of her conviction and despite the obstacles, a significant drugs supplier has been apprehended and is now serving a substantial custodial prison term.”

Judge Sullivan ordered that the money found during the search of Hendry’s flat should be forfeited and that the drugs should be destroyed.