Man and woman from Grantham who conspired to supply cocaine spared jail after turning lives around

Two people who conspired to supply cocaine and heroin in Grantham were given suspended jail sentences today (Thursday) after turning their lives around.

Emily Taylor, 26, and Christopher Gwither, 29, were arrested after police watched them for three days at Taylor's then address in Gratham High Street during May 2020.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Gwither played a lesser role as a drugs runner and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

He must also complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The court was told Taylor played a slightly more significant role higher up the chain.

She was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for two years, and must also complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Fergus Malone, prosecuting, said Gwither was arrested first after police watched Taylor's Grantham address over three days from May 20, 2020.

Gwither refused to give his name and was transported to Lincoln's South Park police station where a finger print scan confirmed his identity.

He was searched and found to be in possession of 11 wraps of cocaine and two wraps of heroin, with an estimated street value of £130.

Mr Malone said Gwither's mobile phone repeatedly rang while he was in custody, with calls from Taylor, but he refused to give officers the PIN number for his phone.

When his phone was downloaded there were messages consistent with setting up a "new line" and supplying Class A drugs.

Taylor was arrested on May 22, 2020. Messages on her mobile phone were consistent with purchasing drugs but not supply.

A drugs expert concluded Gwither's role was consistent with being a runner, while Taylor was slightly higher up in the chain than him.

Gwither, of Ivatt Court Grantham, and Taylor, of First Avenue, Grantham, both admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs during May 2020.

The court heard Taylor had no previous convictions and had turned her life around in the last three years.

Neil Sands, mitigating for Taylor, said she was just 23 when she committed these offences.

"She is now 26 and has used those three years extremely productively," Mr Sands told the court.

"She has completely moved away from her then lifestyle of drugs and alcohol, she now has a settled address and has paid off all her debts in those three years."

The court heard Gwither had no previous drugs convictions and had been assessed by the Probation Service as suitable for rehabilitation.

Passing sentence Recorder Paul Mann KC told the pair: "During the days of May 20 to May 22, 2020, the two of you conspired to supply cocaine and diamorphine (heroin) to others.

"The evidence points to the fact there was at least one other individual involved."

Recorder Mann said he was satisfied that person played the most significant role, but he added: "You Emily Taylor played a significant role. I regard you Gwither as having a more modest role."

Recorder Mann warned the pair that their suspended jail sentences could be activated if they committed further offences and stressed they had been "extremely lucky."