A North Tyneside woman who admitted supplying amphetamine has been spared jail after police found drug-related messages on a phone and discovered that £77,540.19 passing through her bank account was linked to dealing.
Trudi Gilhespie, of North Shields, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where the court heard that more than £162,000 in unexplained transactions had passed through her account.
Court Hearing and Sentence
Judge Tim Gittins said the money represented a significant quantity of amphetamine, but ruled: "Ultimately what I have decided is in both your cases the order does not require immediate imprisonment."
Gilhespie was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, alongside an 18-month probation requirement. Co-defendant Josh Attril received an 18-month community order.
Defence Statement
Her defence told the court: "This has been a harsh lesson which has been fully acknowledged from the defendant."
The case concluded with the suspended sentence, meaning Gilhespie will avoid immediate imprisonment provided she complies with the terms of the order.
