A drug dealer who was photographed lying on a bed covered in £10 and £20 notes has been jailed. The snapshot of Thomas Crombie, 23, was taken by his then-girlfriend and accomplice, Marley Hadfield, 22, and showed only his face as the rest of his body was hidden beneath the banknotes.
Court Evidence Reveals Drug Trafficking Operation
At Hull Crown Court, footage was also shown of Hadfield boasting about her success in selling Class A drugs on the streets of Hull. The evidence was presented before both received sentences for drug-related offences. Crombie, of Taylor Avenue, Hull, but recently held in custody, and Hadfield, of Bainton Grove, Hull, each pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply at a property in Carden Avenue, Hull, on June 12 last year. Crombie also admitted acquiring or possessing criminal property and possessing cannabis.
Police Raid Uncovers £10,000 in Drugs and Cash
The court heard that Hadfield submitted a basis of plea regarding her role in the crimes. A Humberside Police narcotics specialist examined phones seized during a drugs raid in which officers discovered £10,000 worth of substances and £10,000 in cash. The specialist stated that the phones contained evidence of drug trafficking, and messages showed no indication that Hadfield was coerced into distributing drugs.
Defence counsel for Crombie, Richard Butters, argued: "There was no evidence that he was controlling her – and the female was a point of contact for people who wanted drugs. They are jointly concerned."
Hadfield Claims She Was Manipulated
Hadfield maintained that she only distributed drugs because she was "manipulated" by her boyfriend, whom she had known for four years since school. In tears, she insisted in court that she never received any financial reward for her involvement in Class A drug trafficking. "I'm not involved," she said. "I got nothing for it. I only got a takeaway meal once. I could not refuse his request. I would have done anything for him because I loved him."
She explained that she had worked in a restaurant after leaving school and later in a care home. Crombie, however, claimed he had spent "tens of thousands of pounds" on her, buying designer clothing, gold jewellery, and an electric bicycle.
Prosecution Details Hadfield's Role
Oliver Shipley, prosecuting, said that Crombie was injured in a cycling accident and used crutches. Hadfield continued the drug operation in his absence. "When he was not able to deal in drugs, you picked up the slack," Shipley alleged. "You weighed the bags and dealt the drugs?" Hadfield denied controlling the operation.
Judge John Thackray KC rejected Hadfield's claims and ruled that she was "a willing participant" in the drug trafficking. Crombie was sentenced to two years and three months in prison. Hadfield received a two-year suspended sentence, with 200 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation. She must also pay a £187 victims' surcharge. The £5,000 cash confiscated will be forfeited and donated to the St Paul's boxing club charity in Hull.
