Man and ex-girlfriend given jail sentences for drug offences (From Redditch Advertiser)

Man and ex-girlfriend given jail sentences for drug offences

7:30am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News

A MAN and his ex-girlfriend have been given jail sentences after police raided their former Redditch flat and found evidence of drug dealing.

Two search warrants were executed a month apart at the Southcrest Gardens premises.

Officers seized cannabis and mobile phones which contained messages from addicts requesting supplies.

And a car was later stopped and more cannabis was thrown away by a third drug pusher as he tried to escape, said James Dunstan, prosecuting.

All together the drug haul had a street value of £2,800, Worcester Crown court heard

Iain Eccleston, aged 29 , now of Poplar Road, Redditch, was jailed for eight months. He pleaded guilty to cannabis supply and failing to surrender to bail.

Stacey Beck, 25, of Evesham Road, Redditch, was also given eight months, suspended for 12 months, and must carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

She admitted being concerned in cannabis supply.

The court heard that Lee Quirke was also arrested and will be sentenced after facing a trial on other matters.

Mr Dunstan said police first pounced on May 20 last year at 11pm when the trio were all present.

Cannabis, drug grinders, cash and three mobile phones were seized.
Eccleston told police he was using £100 worth of cannabis a day but had an income from rental properties abroad and was not a dealer.

Released on bail, they were arrested again on June 21 when police carried out a second raid at 8am.

In a Renault Clio belonging to Beck was found cannabis worth £55. More drugs were found under a cupboard in the flat's kitchen.

On July 20 officers stopped a Fiat Punto. Quirke fled from the car but was chased and caught. Cannabis worth over £1,300 was recovered.

Eccleston had previous drug-related convictions, Beck had a record for public disorder and theft.

Tom Walkling, for Eccleston, said he was now back with his former partner and their two children after a short relationship with Beck.

He had been using cannabis since the age of 12 and began dealing to fund the habit.

Diljit Bachada, for Beck, said she spent £40 a day on cannabis and was led astray by her relationship with Eccleston.

She had been exploited through her naivety and now hoped to work in a care home.

Judge Michael Cullum said there was no prospect of Eccleston complying with a non-custodial sentence.

He told Beck her lack of previous drug crimes and her contrition had saved her from immediate jail.