Jail for drug-dealing Shrewsbury mum, 36, whose messages were found on phones at local school
Offender who was caught with £10,000 of cocaine was dealing again within hours of being released on bail
A drug-dealing mum who was caught with £10,000 of cocaine and whose dealing involved a local school has been jailed.
Nichola Thornton, aged 36, was busted alongside her partner at their home in Monkmoor, Shrewsbury.
And then hours after her release on bail, she was at it again, sending out “flare” messages offering cocaine and heroin.
Shrewsbury Crown Court was told that drug-related messages were found on phones at a local school late last year. Intelligence suggested Thornton was involved.
Bright and early at 6.40am on November 26, police raided the home Thornton and her partner shared in Racecourse Crescent, where they found a bag containing 866g of cocaine as well as three smaller bags.
Altogether, if broken down into street deals, the drugs would have been worth £10,350.
Officers also found heroin, cannabis, ecstasy, pregabalin, mobile phones, scales, a “tick” list and £165 in cash.
The phones were found to contain messages indicative of drug dealing.
Thornton was arrested and answered “no comment” to questions in her police interview.
She was released ,but phone records showed that she was dealing again within hours of leaving custody.
Thornton, using a new phone number, sent out bulk messages saying: “Active in Monkmoor” and “It’s Nic, back and active”.
Police carried out another raid on December 15.
“She tried to pretend she wasn’t there, so officers kicked the door open,” said Philip Beardwell, prosecuting.
They discovered that attempts had been made to flush drugs and notes down the toilet.
Officers found a bag of white powder and phones, which were found to have drug-dealing messages on.
She was arrested, and again gave a “no comment” interview at the police station.
Thornton, of Racecourse Crescent, Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty to four counts of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug. She has three previous convictions for 11 offences, but none for drug dealing.
Simon Parry, mitigating, said Thornton reached her 30s “with no experience of the world of drugs”, but became “immersed” in it in 2025.
He said she had been in a “torrid, abusive relationship” for many years, and thought alcohol and drugs were a coping mechanism after her children were taken into care.
“She takes full responsibility for her offending,” said Mr Parry.
Judge Trevor Meegan told Thornton: “You were involved in running a drugs line. Over £10,000 in drugs were found.
“There were offences committed while you were on bail. There was reference to the line being active within a school.
“You have said you are remorseful and accept responsibility. I accept that.
“You have had a long standing alcohol and drug problem.”
He jailed Thornton for two years and three months. It is expected she will serve 40 per cent of the time behind bars before being released on licence.