A mum who peddled cocaine and cannabis from her family home has walked free after a judge ruled her three daughters would suffer 'significant harm' if she went to prison.
Ashley Tymon, from Wigan, had been facing up to seven years behind bars after she used her family home as a narcotics trafficking base from where sold drugs to fund her own habit, a court heard. The 34-year-old carried out her squalid offending in the presence of her daughters, aged 14, 10 and seven.
But she claimed it would be too much of a 'burden' on her frail and elderly parents to look after the girls if she was locked up. She also claimed to be a previous victim of domestic violence, warned there was no father figure to care for the youngsters and insisted she was no longer hooked on drugs and instead 'focused' on her children.
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At Bolton Crown Court, a judge handed her a suspended jail term. Her ex-partner Jordan Paton, 27, and his brother Scott Paton, 23, who lived next door with his mother, were also given suspended jail terms for their involvement in the drug dealing.
Kate Walden, prosecuting, told the court how Tymon was arrested in October 2021 after police carried out drug raids on her home and at the Patons' property next door. Ms Walden said: "At his home, Scott Paton was present and his mobile phone was seized.
"Next door, Jordan Paton and Ashley Tymon were found upstairs in separate bedrooms and both were detained. In the kitchen, officers seized 49 wraps of cannabis, electronic scales, £30 cash, two bags of white powder, a mobile phone belonging to Ashley Tymon, A5 writing pads containing lists.
"Ashley Tymon admitted being involved in the supply of cannabis when the warrant was carried out, and in the supply of cocaine when interviewed. She told officers that the cannabis found would be sold for £595.
"She maintained that the supply of cocaine was only to close friends. The total amount of white powder was 11.53 grams and was analysed.
"Ashley Tymon told officers that it was ‘bash’, which is a cutting agent used to bulk out cocaine. The wraps were analysed as cannabis to a total amount of 56.02 grams."
Ms Walden added: "Both Scott Paton’s and Ashley Tymon’s mobile phones contained evidence that they were involved in the supply of cannabis and cocaine. Ashley Tymon’s phone demonstrated that she acted as a conduit for Jordan Paton, in fielding requests for cannabis on his behalf.
"Her phone contained messages confirming that she would sell cocaine for cash up front, one message says, ‘no ticks till set up and trust gained’, meaning no ‘buy now, pay later’. One text to her brother informs him she has cocaine for sale, and asks him to let people know.'"
The court heard how Tymon had no previous convictions, though she had three cautions from 2002, 2012 and 2015 for unrelated offences. Defending, her lawyer Alex Beevers described her as 'vulnerable person susceptible to negative influences'.
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Mr Beevers told the court: "Although this is the first time before the court she has jumped in the deep end somewhat. She knows that sentences are normally lengthy periods of custody but given the impact on her three young girls and her previous character, and the elements of lesser culpability in this case, your Honour does have an option to impose an alternative in terms of a suspended sentence.
"There has been a fairly significant delay in this case of about 18 months and she has not been in trouble since and she has made a number of positive steps in the interim. It is no coincidence that her positive steps have coincided with the end of her relationship with Mr Paton and her abstinence from cocaine use.
"She immediately stated when police attended that the drugs were hers and she has been candid throughout. She fully admitted being involved with drugs and supplying them from her own address.
"She gave a valuation of what the drugs were worth and does not attempt to deflect blame towards others. Although perhaps there was some influence of others in her case she has taken full ownership of those choices she made and that shows her character and her genuine remorse.
"She has a limited period of involvement in this offending for around four months and it seems to coincide with the relationship with Mr Paton. It seems that most of the dealing was to fund her burgeoning drug habit, in particular a spiralling cocaine habit.
"There's an element of exploitation but it probably falls short of coercion. She is a vulnerable person, susceptible to negative influences although she knows full well what she was going into. It is no coincidence that she's been free from offending since being free from this relationship. She has three children.
"There were previous concerns about her parenting due to the domestic violence in the relationship and substance abuse - but she has made good progress. She has finally started to put her life on track and being the mother she is capable of being."
Mr Beevers urged the judge: "Should Miss Tymon go to custody today there are arrangements in place to look after the children. The children do not have a paternal father figure but her own parents are willing to take on the children.
"However her mother is in her 60s and her father in a 70s. Her father has had a number of heart attacks and I ask that you consider the burden on them, looking after three young children for a period that Miss Tymon is in custody."
Jordan was sentenced to 36 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with 15 rehabilitation activity days plus a nine months drug rehabilitation programme after he admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
Sentencing the judge Mr Recorder Carwyn Cox told Tymon: "The aggravating feature is that there were children in your home when this offending took place and that is a matter of some concern. However, you have been candid throughout the period following your arrest and I've heard about the difficult relationships that you have found yourself in previously.
"You are arguably a susceptible individual. I have also heard about the steps you have taken to try and get away from substance misuse and to focus on raising your daughters.
"I am satisfied you do not pose a risk or a danger to the public and I am satisfied there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation with the strong personal mitigation, bearing in mind what I have heard about your daughters and your mother and father who have offered their support to care for them. I am of a mind that custody would have a significant harmful impact on others."
Tymon, of Ridyard Street, Wigan, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs. She was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Scott Paton, of Wellfield Road, Wigan, who admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, was sentenced to 48 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months plus 15 rehabilitation activity days.
Jordan Paton, of Bombay Road, Wigan, was sentenced to 36 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with 15 rehabilitation activity days plus a nine months drug rehabilitation programme. He admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
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