A drug dealer found with more than £162,000 in her bank account has been spared jail. Trudi Gilhespie was in a property in Wallsend, North Tyneside, when police found amphetamine inside.
Court hears of unexplained transactions
Newcastle Crown Court heard how, during the subsequent investigation, police found unexplained transactions worth £162,786.70 in her bank account. Officers also discovered messages on Gilhespie's phone where people asked her for "wizz" and "speed". The court heard how Josh Attril, who was previously in a relationship with Gilhespie, had also messaged her asking her to supply him with the drug.
As reported by ChronicleLive, Attril admitted having amphetamine and supplying to small amount of others but said Gilhespie was not involved. When she was interviewed, following the search of the property in 2021, Gilhespie denied being concerned in the supply of the drugs. The court agreed that £77,540.19 in her bank account had related to drug dealing.
Guilty pleas and defence statements
Gilhespie, of Collingwood Close, North Shields, later pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and possessing criminal property. Attril, of Wyndham Way, North Shields, admitted possession of amphetamine with intent to supply.
Nicoleta Alistari, defending Gilhespie, told the court that her client claims the co-defendant was involved and it was because of him how she got into trouble in the first place. She said: "Although she accepts full responsibility, Ms Alistari was still working at the time. She was working two jobs, low paying jobs. She hasn't any great wealth. She has a debt relief order in place."
"She has pleaded to the possession in that the money went through her account rather than she benefitted from that. This has been a harsh lesson which has been fully acknowledged from the defendant."
Rachel Hedworth, defending Attril, said he entered a guilty plea on the basis that he was a prolific user of the drug at the time, most will have been for personal use and he would have sold a small amount to fund his addiction. She said he had no access to the bank account in the name of Trudi Gilhespie. She said it was "absolutely not accepted" by Attril that he had been the person responsible in getting her involved in this offending behaviour.
Ms Hedworth said: "This was an issue that she already had prior to them becoming involved in a relationship. The only real message from Mr Attril is him asking her to supply him with amphetamine."
Judge's remarks and sentence
The court heard how Attril had attempted to take his own life following difficulties and now suffered from issues with his physical health. Ms Hedworth said he was now with somebody who is a positive influence on him and does not condone drugs.
Judge Tim Gittins told Gilhespie: "Police found messages on a phone that were indicative of you being involved in the supply of amphetamine and you, Josh Attril, engaged in that to a lesser extent and asked for drugs indeed from your co-accused on one occasion."
"While the investigation took some time, a large quantity of money was found going through your account. It's been accepted by both the prosecution and defence that just over £75,000 of that was related to drug dealing even if you do not accept that was your own dealing."
The judge said that the amount of money obviously represents a significant quantity of amphetamine. He told Gilhespie that he acknowledges that life can be hard but the involvement and the supply of drugs is simply not the answer. He said: "Not least because you will be causing misery for others who are negotiating in becoming addicted to drugs, committing their own crimes to fund that addiction."
Judge Gittins told the pair: "Ultimately what I have decided is in both your cases the order does not require immediate imprisonment." He said there had been a significant period of time with no other offending.
Gilhespie was handed a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and a 18-month probation requirement. Attril was given an 18-month community order and a 18-month probation requirement.
