Woman whose house was raided in drugs bust avoids jail

A woman who looked after a stash of cocaine for a drug dealer was today (Monday) spared an immediate jail sentence at Lincoln Crown Court.

Leah Hurlock, who was described as being addicted to drink and drugs at the time, was arrested after police raided her Holbeach home in May 2019.

Jonathon Dee, prosecuting, told the court “During the course of the search the police found a significant quantity of drugs in a number of locations.

“She was a small-time dealer in regard to cannabis and a custodian of cocaine.”

Mr Dee said that 266 gs of cannabis was found in a tub on the floor of the bedroom and more cannabis was found elsewhere in the bedroom and in the kitchen.

“Another amount of cannabis was found in a cash box on the floor of the bedroom. Also in the cash box was 230 gs of cocaine. That had a high purity of 83 per cent. There were zip-lock bags in the cash box and £1,145 in cash.”

Hurlock was not at the property when police carried out the raid but later handed herself in to police.

Mr Dee said that messages found on a mobile phone indicated the user had been selling cannabis to a circle of people she knew.

When Hurlock was interviewed by police, she admitted that she had been dealing cannabis to friends to fund her own drug habit.

The court was told that Hurlock had a previous conviction in 2009 for possession of drugs with intent to supply when she was given a suspended jail sentence.

Hurlock, 50, of Fairfields, Holbeach, admitted charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, supplying cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of cannabis resin.

David Eager, in mitigation, said Hurlock was using drugs to deal with traumatic events in her life which included the deaths of her daughter and her mother.

“She was at an absolute low.

“She has since taken a grip of matters. She sought counselling for the losses of her daughter and her mother. She has dealt with her alcoholism and dealt with her drug addiction. She no longer takes drugs and she doesn’t take alcohol any more.

“I cannot imagine a defendant who has done more to persuade the court not to send her to prison. It would not be an injustice for her sentence to be suspended.”

Hurlock was given a two-year jail sentence suspended for two years with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a three-month night-time curfew.

Judge John Pini QC told her “Because, and only because, you have resolved your demons over the last two years, I am persuaded to suspend the sentence but I want to make it clear to you that this is the last time. If you breach the suspended sentence then you and I will meet again and you won’t enjoy the experience. I will send you straight to prison.”