‘Drug shop’ mum jailed

Friday 4th December 2009, 12:14PM GMT.

courtroom hammerA Shropshire mother-of-four who transformed her home into a “drugs shop” has been jailed for five years.

Tracey Pembridge, 41, of Oswestry, broke down in tears as she was sent down by Judge Nicholas Mitchell at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

Her cousin Jason Power, 31, who was responsible for selling the drugs on the streets, received an eight-year prison sentence.

The pair were found guilty by a jury of possessing amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis resin with intent to supply. Power was also found guilty on two counts of supplying amphetamines and a count of intent to supply.

Drugs with a street value of nearly £1,500 were found when police officers raided Pembridge’s home in College Road on April 10 last year. Officers also found more than £3,500 stashed in a safe.

Later that year Power, who was staying with Pembridge, was observed twice by police officers selling amphetamines to members of the public.

When he was approached by officers as he left the house, police found a further stash of amphetamines in his trouser pocket.

Sentencing Pembridge, Judge Mitchell said: “Effectively your premises was being used as a drugs shop. There were three classes of drug there in some significant quantities ready for supply to the public.”

Mr Paul Smith, for Pembridge, said she had been addicted to amphetamines for more than 20 years and had two young children who were heavily dependent on her.

Representing Power, Mrs Debra White said the father-of-one was also a heavy drug user and was supplying in part to fund his own addiction.

Power and Pembridge were sentenced to three years for possession of amphetamines with intent to supply, five years for possession of ecstasy with intent to supply and two years for possession of cannabis resin with intent to supply with all three sentences to run concurrently.

In addition Power was sentenced to three years, to run consecutively, for the two offences of supplying amphetamines and one count of intent to supply.

Detective Inspector Gavin Kinrade said: “Clearly, people involved in possessing or supplying controlled drugs can expect little mercy.”

By Wayne Beese



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