Cannabis-selling woman caught out after police found angry text message from her mum expressing 'displeasure' about drug dealing

Chloe Pickersgill was stopped in her car in Wakefield after police officers saw her driving without a seat belt on June 29, 2019.

Leeds Crown Court heard Pickersgill had three passengers in the vehicle and was spoken to by officers.

Anthony Moore, prosecuting, said there was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the car.

Pickersgill denied having any cannabis in the car but told officers she had smoked the class B drug earlier in the day.

She was taken into a police car to be tested for cannabis while an officer searched her vehicle.

A holdall was found containing a bong, scales, a grinder, two mobile phones and dealer bags.

Her purse was searched and found to contain £595 in cash.

She told the officers: "I know you won't believe me but it's for personal use."

Pickersgill was taken to a police station where the purse was searched again and a small amount of cocaine was found inside.

Her home was searched and more equipment linked to drug dealing along with cannabis and a quantity of another class B drug was found.

Mr Moore said the phones contained text messages relating to drug dealing dating back to November 2017.

The prosecutor said: "There were two messages from April 2019 which came from the defendant's mother making reference to her mother's displeasure at her daughter apparently dealing drugs."

Pickersgill, 22, of Elm Avenue, Stanley, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, offering to supply cannabis, possessing a class A drug and possessing a class B drug.

Mathew Harding, mitigating, said Pickersgill was sorry and ashamed of her offending.

He said his client came from a loving, hard-working and supportive family.

The court heard Pickersgill had been a "high achiever" at school.

She had been training to be a teacher before she become involved in drugs.

The court heard she could no longer pursue a career in teaching but had found a job and is trying to put her offending behind her.

Pickersgill was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.

She was also ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Penelope Belcher said: "Do not kid yourself that cannabis is appropriate or acceptable in any way at all.

"Those that do tell you that are not your friends."

Judge Belcher also made a confiscation order for £595 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.