Chesterfield woman who was supplying cocaine and cannabis to her network of friends escapes prison term

Bethan Gill appeared before Derby Crown Court on Tuesday, November 11 where she admitted supplying Class A and Class B drugs.

The court heard that Gill, 24, of Carsington Close, Ashgate, Chesterfield, had become involved with her now former partner, and had started collecting cannabis and cocaine in large quantities and supplying to 16 friends so she and her ex could effectively consume the drugs for free.

Prosecuting, Sarah Allen said that Gill had been involved in supplying cannabis between January 2018 and August 2019, and cocaine between January and August 2019.

She was snared after a phone of one of those she was supplying with drugs was seized and messages were discovered linking Gill to the supply.

Gill, who has a four-year-old son with her former partner, works caring for adults with severe emotional and physical needs, the court heard.

No action was taken against the former partner by the Crown Prosecution Service, the court heard.

Mitigating, Steven Gosnell said: “This was not a sophisticated operation and it’s not money driven. It’s main purpose was to make sure friends and acquaintances were being supplied.

“There is some money being made, but that was for drugs for the defendant and her partner.”

Recorder Paul Mann gave Gill a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered her to complete 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.

Sentencing, he said: “You knew the risks you were taking - you knew the risks but you put your child’s welfare at risk for the sake of getting some cheap cocaine. What sort of mother does that?

“Although you may have been a user of cocaine before meeting up with your former partner, it’s down to him that you were drawn into acting as a go-between. You were, to some extent, working with your partner and it’s unfortunate that both of you were not here to face these charges, and you were left having to hold the can.

"If it was not the fact that you are the mother of this child and the primary carer of this child, you would be going to immediate custody today.”

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