Pregnant mum-of-six jailed for selling cannabis from car

A pregnant mother-of-six has been jailed for selling cannabis with her partner.

A pregnant mother-of-six has been jailed for selling cannabis with her partner.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how 31-year-old Sara Gerard and 30-year-old John Moore operated a ‘mobile shop’ selling cannabis from their car.

The couple, of Green Moor Road, Egremont, were caught in possession of the drug in July when police were called out to suspicious activity in a car in Copeland Avenue.

Officers reported a “strong smell of herbal cannabis” and asked to search Gerard, Moore and their car.

They found a plastic bag containing dealer bags, £170 in cash and 20.64 grams of the drug – with an estimated street value £206.40.

When the officer looked in the vehicle he found “evidence of drug paraphernalia” including cannabis grinders and electric scales.

Several mobile phones were also seized.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said: “They contained a number of text messages which appeared from customers asking if he [Moore] had any drugs.”

When interviewed by the police Moore admitted to having a cannabis habit.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges of possession of a class B drug with intent to supply.

The couple were both sentenced to 16 months in prison by Judge Paul Batty QC.

He said: “This is an extremely serious offence. Your vehicle was searched and you were quite simply operating a mobile shop. From that vehicle you were dealing cannabis. Each of you acknowledge quite simply that you were doing it for profit.”

Alison Whalley, defending Gerard, said that the mother had turned to selling drugs after falling into financial difficulty. Mr Batty added: “It’s all well pleading poverty but they are dedicated drug dealers. It’s frankly outrageous.

“And you were exploiting people in that area for profit. You were a partnership both in life and business.

The judge also told the court how he has seen an increasing number of cases involving drugs from west Cumbria in the past 12 months.

Kim Whittlestone, representing Moore, said that she was no longer using drugs and “feels extremely responsible” for finding his partner in the dock alongside him.

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/sara-gerard-john-moore-egremont-carlisle-sold-cannabis-car-1.1182706# 19/12/2014