05/10/2007 00:00:00
UK NI: Woman on drugs charge spared jail
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An Antrim woman who allowed drugs to be stored on her property was
yesterday warned that if she "steps out of line" again she risks having
her daughter taken away from her.
The warning was issued to 37-year-old Louise Hill after she pleaded
guilty to two counts of allowing her premises to be used for the supply
of Class C drugs.
Antrim Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, was told Hill's Rathglynn home
was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act on December 21 last year.
Two blocks of cannabis resin were discovered in an outdoor boiler house
while over 1,200 diazepam tablets were found both in and outside the house.
It emerged the drugs were owned by Hill's partner Stephen Dean (43) from
Carnbrock Drive in Antrim, who was subsequently charged with two counts
of possessing Class C drugs and a further two charges of possessing the
drugs with intent to supply.
A Crown barrister told the hearing that, at interview, Dean said the
drugs had been left at the house by a third party. He also told officers
he was a heavy diazepam user.
Dean's barrister Michael Boyd said his client's period in custody since
his arrest last December has been "a blessing in disguise" as it had
forced him to "reflect" on his drug-taking lifestyle.
He also revealed Dean used to supply friends and family with small
amounts of Class C drugs.
Neil Moore, representing Hill, said his client had "stuck her head in
the sand" because she was aware of her partner's involvement with drugs,
but "did nothing to prevent it".
Telling the court this inaction led to her arrest, Mr Moore also
revealed that, since the raid, Social Services have become involved
regarding her daughter.
His Honour Judge Kevin Finnegan ordered Dean serve a two-year sentence
with an additional 12 months post-custodial supervision. Handing Hill a
12-month jail term, which he suspended for three years, he warned her
she risked losing her daughter if caught again.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12885
Author:
Belfast Telegraph via UKCIA
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