Mum-of-five who ran cocaine racket spared jail because her kids ‘depend on her’
A mum of five who ran a cocaine and cannabis trafficking racket has been spared jail after a judge ruled that her children were dependent on her.
Chantelle Jackson, 37 had faced up to four and a half years in prison and she and partner Joshua Harrison were arrested in a drugs raid on the family home they share with the children in the foothills of the Peak District.
Police seized £150 stash of cannabis, scales and snapbags during a raid on their home in Poynton, Cheshire, and found traces of cocaine on the property.
The couple’s mobile phones were also examined and found to contain incriminating messages discussing their drug dealing operation, with Jackson communicating with users, arranging supply and keeping the drug payments up to date.
At Chester Crown Court, Jackson and Harrison both pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A and class B drugs between September 4, 2022 and January 25, 2023.
But whilst CCTV engineer Harrison was jailed for three years, Jackson who has one child with her boyfriend and four others from a previous relationship was freed with two years imprisonment suspended for two years.
Sentencing Judge Patrick Thompson said Jackson had been acting as ‘secretary’ to Harrison after hearing claims she played a ‘lesser role’ in the racket as she was ‘scared to please’ her boyfriend due to domestic abuse within the household.
The judge added: ‘Mr Harrison, what is perhaps reprehensible is that you brought your partner into it when she had five children, including one of yours.
‘It is very clear that this was a business but with any business which is paid involving criminality, you know the risks you are taking if caught. It is quite clear, significant amounts were being supplied and you were making significant amounts of money.
‘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.’
Earlier 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 added: ‘Certainly, she had an awareness and understanding of the scale of the operation. She is dealing with it very actively. She was very much involved. However, I accept some elements of lesser role. She seems to be directed by Mr Harrison, certainly to a degree, though she does not accept she was forced into it.
‘She does not go as far as to say she was intimidated or coerced, but says there was some pressure.’
A message from Jackson to a user called Matt asked if he still wanted a deal, while another text asked her ‘Are you 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.
Harrison was arrested during the drugs bust whilst Jackson attended voluntarily for an interview four months later. Both answered no comment in the interview.
Harrison had two previous drugs offences on his record from 2011 plus others for battery, criminal damage and common assault. Jackson had no previous convictions. The couple are still thought to be together and were posting selfies on Facebook as recently as last week.
Jackson’s defence counsel Phil Clemo said: ‘She has five children, one is 14 years old and has been formally diagnosed with autism and ADHD.
‘Another child has a suspected like condition, but is awaiting diagnosis. For the most part she has been a good mother but has made some terrible choices in relation to this case. Her children are entirely innocent, they would inevitably suffer should she go to prison.
‘Her mother is willing to step in, but that would mean giving up her job as a nurse. That would not be a benefit to her, it would not be a benefit to wider society.’
Mr Clemo 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.’
Jackson was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitative activity and 200 hours of unpaid work. Both she and Harrison faced proceeds of crime hearings later.
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