Mercy for drugs ‘cuckoo’
A WOMAN who was ‘cuckooed’ by drug dealers into growing a cannabis farm in her house has avoided jail.
Sarah Parr, 34, fled her home following issues of domestic violence from her ex-partner, and was ‘pressured’ into allowing the drugs to be grown in her flat in Moston.
After police executed a search warrant at her home on Herschel Street, they found 48 cannabis plants, along with various drug paraphernalia.
They also recovered wraps of cocaine and heroin, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Two men were seen trying to flee the house, one later identified as Aden Hilton, 33. The other man had no further action taken against him. Following a search of Hilton’s phone, messages showing drug dealing were recovered.
Parr pleaded guilty to producing controlled drug class B on a basis that the property was hers and she was aware there was a cannabis farm, but played no active role. She also said both her and Hilton were under pressure at the time.
Hilton admitted producing controlled drugs, being concerned in the supply of drugs and two offences of permitting a premises to be used to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin, on a basis that he played no active role.
In a probation report, it was said that Parr was a victim of domestic violence at the time, and had been given sheltered accommodation for her own safety. She said she had been focusing on her own safety at the time and dealing with her own issues.
Mitigating for Hilton, Iain Johnstone said both Parr and Hilton were ‘vulnerable individuals’ and there was a ‘high element of cuckooing’ by those above them, and the premises were taken over.
For Parr, Julian Goode said the offences dated back four years and there had been no further offences since then.
Parr, of Harewood Road, Preston, was handed an 18-month community order, including 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirements. Hilton, of Olivers Court, Oldham, was handed six months imprisonment, which was suspended for 18 months, and 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.