A couple from Chesterton have dodged time in prison despite being involved in a drug dealing conspiracy. Lee Johnson, 36 and Nicola Timmis, 35 were caught red handed by officers selling drugs to a loyal customer from their car.
The pair, who are parents to five children were taken on as drug runners within a notable county lines supply operation. Their participation came about as a result of their own joint cocaine addiction which consequently landed them in £3,000 worth of debt with their dealer, Stoke Sentinel reports.
However, a court heard that they had used their best efforts to change their lives and were no longer associated with drugs in any context. On account of this, the judge at Stoke on Trent court ruled to drop their prison sentences.
Johnson and Timmis were sentenced alongside two Albanian nationals who were involved in the same conspiracy. Klanth Gjaci was also recruited as a runner, while Blerim Gjomakaj admitted having a more senior role as a 'controller' for a short period of time.
The court heard a London-based organised crime gang was running the conspiracy, which centred around Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle, during 2018 and 2019. Prosecutor James Dunstan said the enterprise - which used a 'sophisticated system' of phone calls - was turning over £10,000 a week before it was shut down by police.
Johnson and Timmis, of Wright Avenue, Chesterton, were seen by police in Clayton in May 8. Mr Dunstan said: "Mr Johnson was driving a Honda Accord. Miss Timmis was in the front passenger seat. They were watched by police officers who saw approximately 10 drug deals take place from the car within a 90 minute period. This led to the arrest of a purchaser who had been a regular customer.
"The following day, more observations were carried out. Again, the police saw six deals from the car during the early evening." The couple were later arrested. Gjaci, aged 39, was detained after officers stopped his Citroen C3 in September 2019. The searched the vehicle and found cocaine and a quantity of cash.
Meanwhile 31-year-old Gjomakaj and his wife were arrested in Crawley in November 2019. All four defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Johnson has a previous conviction for supplying cannabis.
The court heard there are other defendants linked to the same conspiracy that are yet to be dealt with. Andrew Turnock, representing Johnson, said he was only involved for two months. Mr Turnock said: "It's plain he has been exploited by the organised crime gang who dealt him the drugs he was using, with whom he ran up a £3,000 debt.
"They then put him to work to discharge that. His habit continued to be sustained by that. He was essentially a delivery driver. In the three years since, this man has made great steps towards ridding himself of the addiction that he had when he offended. He also recently took over his uncle's business as a gardener."
Hamish Noble, representing Timmis, said she had also stopped using drugs. He said: "She started to misuse cocaine in 2017. A debt started and was allowed to grow to a level where pressure could be brought upon Mr Johnson to act as a runner.
"Miss Timmis went along initially concerned for his welfare but did participate. The reward wasn't financial but a small allowance of cocaine for their own use." The court heard Gjomakaj, of Hamilton Hill Gardens, Hanley, paid £8,000 to get to the UK from Albania in a lorry in 2019 before becoming embroiled with the organised crime group. Gjaci, of Amanda Close, Chigwell, also arrived from Albania and turned to illegal activity when he and his family were in danger of losing their accommodation.
Judge Graeme Smith jailed Gjomakaj for four-and-a-half years, while Gjaci was sentenced to 27 months. Johnson was sentenced to 18 months in prison while Timmis received a 16-month sentence.
Both were suspended for 18 months. Judge Smith told them: "Your story is sadly familiar. You were drug users that could not pay your debt. You were therefore put under pressure and you started dealing.
"Regrettably, by doing so you perpetuated the problem by passing drugs onto other people. You have shown genuine remorse and a determination to address your addiction." Johnson must complete 120 hours unpaid work and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement (RAR) and Timmis 60 hours and a 20-day RAR.
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