By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 11:32, Friday, 20 April 2012

A “naive” woman was caught with £30,000 worth of drugs linked to a major north west drugs baron.

Judge Peter Hughes

Catherine Horton, 39, of Newlands Avenue, Whitehaven, was arrested after police found almost 3kg of amphetamines hidden in the spare wheel compartment in the boot of her car.

The former school worker had previously admitted possession with intent to supply when she appeared at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday.

Timothy Brennand, prosecuting, told the court that officers had stopped the vehicle on the A595 on November 11.

They searched it after Horton looked nervous and got upset, and discovered three packages containing the class B drug, with a street value of £29,777.

During interview she told officers she had assumed the drugs were cannabis, and admitted she had acted for a female family member who was a cannabis user.

Mr Brennand said: “There is evidence available that this is linked to a well-known Blackpool drugs user and dealer who was making regular drops to the Cumbria area from Blackpool, of which this is one consignment.

“The Crown is satisfied the defendant is in no way connected to that trial.”

He added that three other people were due to appear before Carlisle Crown Court later in the year in connection with the Blackpool dealer, but declined to mention their names in open court.

Elizabeth Muir, defending, said Horton had unfortunately – “but understandably” – lost her job at a school following the charge.

Her job at a Chinese restaurant had gone when the restaurant closed down, and a young boy with disabilities who she cared for had gone into a permanent care home, leaving Horton with no income.

Judge Peter Hughes QC said: “People like you are targeted by drug dealers to move quantities of drugs around the area.

“Very often, judges feel bound to pass immediate sentences of imprisonment on people like you who perform that role because we all need clearly to understand that providing drug dealers with any assistance whatsoever is a serious matter and has to be strongly punished.”

He continued: “You were though, in my judgement, grossly naive and heavily influenced by a female family member.

“What you did was totally out of character.”

Horton was placed under a 12-month community order, including supervision, and ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work.

Judge Hughes added: “I would ordinarily order you to pay the prosecution costs, because it’s really wrong that anyone else should have to pay, but your means are extremely limited and I consider it would be extremely inappropriate.”

Horton sobbed in the dock throughout the trial.

First published at 11:24, Friday, 20 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk