Ex-England footballer Faye Dunn jailed after becoming involved in plot to import drugs

A FORMER Three Lioness has been jailed after becoming involved in a drug importation plot when her business failed due to Covid.

Faye Dunn was arrested at an airport after cops rumbled a million pound cannabis trafficking operation.

The 38-year-old and her dad Michael were arrested after cops cracked the Encrochat mobile phone platform used by criminals.

Liverpool crown court heard the mum-of-two was an “accountant for an organised criminal enterprise”, while she had smuggled ill-gotten cash abroad.

Dunn – who played international football for England u19s and turned out for Tranmere Rovers and Leeds United during her pro career – cried in the dock as she was jailed for three years and nine months after admitting conspiracy to supply cannabis and money laundering.

Sentencing, Judge David Potter, said: “Recent events in this city show how innocent people can get caught in the spiral of violence of organised crime groups.

“Quite simply, cannabis dependency wrecks lives. It was into this trade that you have both willingly participated with the sole intention of significant financial reward.

“I accept that you are a woman of effectively good character – a highly intelligent, successful, motivated sportswoman, entrepreneur and mother of high achieving children.

“You came to this trade as a result of the failure of your businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“You took your considerable management skills into the trade of drugs.

“It is a tragedy to see a young woman facing a sentence of imprisonment after leading a life full of past and continuing achievements.

“You should have been thinking about your two young children when you became involved in serious organised crime.”