Mum-of-five ran lucrative cocaine & cannabis network with lover – but is spared jail as children ‘depend’ on her
A MUM who ran a lucrative cocaine and cannabis network with her lover has been spared jail as her five children depend on her.
Chantelle Jackson, 37, and Joshua Harrison, 34, flooded the streets with drugs from their family home in the Peak District.
The mum worked as a secretary to Harrison – helping sort payments and sorting drug deals with customers.
Jackson was facing a four-year sentence for being concerned in the supply of class A and class B drugs but avoided jail.
She was instead handed a two year sentence suspended for two years, while Harrison was jailed for three years.
Judge Patrick Thompson said: “Mr Harrison, what is perhaps reprehensible is that you brought your partner into it when she had five children, including one of yours.
”It was a terrible risk to take with her liberty. She is in the dock with you facing a significant sentence and the question is whether appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody.
”Many would argue that it can, but in your case Miss Jackson there is a very substantial impact on others if you are sent to prison. There are children depending on you and that gives you substantial personal mitigation
“Balancing all those factors, despite being involved with class A drugs trafficking I can just about suspend it in your case.”
Chester Crown Court heard the couple, who shares one child together, were arrested after a raid at their home.
Police seized a £150 stash of cannabis, scales and snapbags and found traces of cocaine.
They also discovered 14 electronic devices – including mobile phones that showed their involvement in the drug empire.
One message from Harrison to Jackson referred to £120 a customer had paid.
The mum confirmed he had paid in separate sums of £60, £30 and £30, and that there was “£1,360 in the tin”
Another message from Jackson to a user called Matt asked if he still wanted a deal.
In response to a text asking if she was” still active”, she replied that it was £30 cash for a deal.
When the user responded that he only had £20 in cash, Jackson forwarded Harrison’s bank details so he could pay by bank transfer.
Jane Morris, prosecuting said: “Miss Jackson was in a relationship with Joshua Harrison and it featured domestic abuse.
“This was not constant, but was enough to make her scared to please him. She said she only got involved with drug dealing as it was the wish of Joshua Harrison although was not forced into doing so. Other options were open to her.
“She has taken his messages and contacted people, keeping the money up to date. There were also flare messages in relation to Miss Jackson’s phone.”
The court was told Harrison has two previous drugs offences on his record, as well as convictions for battery, criminal damage and common assault.
Jackson and Harrison are still believed to be together and were posting selfies on Facebook as recently as last week.
Phil Clemo, defending the mum, said her children would “suffer” if she went to prison.
He added: “She is not using the children as a human shield. There is a very real possibility she could lose her council tenancy if she goes to prison as it is in her name.
“There is no guarantee it would be a transferable tenancy. There is substantial mitigation. Others would suffer.”
As well as her suspended sentence, Jackson was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitative activity and 200 hours of unpaid work.
Both she and Harrison are still facing proceeds of crime hearings.