A Northumberland mother has been jailed for her "managerial" role in a crack-cocaine dealing family.
Nichola Davison played a "significant role" in producing and supplying the class A drug, which also involved her partner, David Lowe, and son, Dylan Sweeney. The 44-year-old was involved in a "small, family drug dealing business" and was caught after two separate raids were carried out on a home in 2017 and 2018.
Due to legal issues and the covid pandemic, Davison's case was delayed until this week when she appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and production of class A drugs. She had pleaded guilty to the offences.
Read more: Tyneside organised crime group members supplied drugs around the world on dark web
The court heard that along with her partner and son, Davison was a member of a "small, drug dealing business" that operated from an address in Victoria Terrace, Bedlington. Judge Stephen Earl said Davison's son, Sweeney, was the "wholesaler in relation to the supply chain" and that two raids were carried out at the home, one in September 2017 and a second in May 2018.
Judge Earl said Davison "produced and supplied crack-cocaine" and played an "active role an the re-ordering of supplies from your son". The drugs would then be passed on to street-level dealers and buyers, the court heard. Lowe and Sweeney were both jailed for their part in the drug offences in 2021.
When Davison was arrested, she told officers that following the death of her sister - who had a drugs debt - she was then required to pay the debt off. Judge Earl said that after Davison's arrest, mobile phone messages were discovered that showed her involvement in the operation was "more than a mere worker" and "clear involvement".
Speaking of the second drugs raid, he added: "There was a police raid, again at the same premises, and again there is drugs supply under way, with you at the heart of it with your partner.
"This is a significant role case and it's clear your role was a more managerial role within the family group."
During mitigation by defence barrister Tom Edwards, which had been heard on a previous court occasion, the court heard Davison had "significant cognitive and learning difficulties" and "suicidal ideation". She was said to be "open to mental health services"
Judge Earl jailed Davison for 46 months.
Read next:
- Illegal immigrants jailed after Tyneside's biggest ever cannabis farm worth £1.65m found in Fenham
- Prudhoe OAP pushed to death helping friend left in 'living hell' by neighbour's kittens complaints
- Newcastle knifeman who threatened to kill family's dog and schoolboy's parents walks free
- 'Powerful' North Shields thug killed 'puny' victim with single punch when bad blood ended in tragedy
- 'Inhuman': North Shields couple jailed for a total of 50 years for trying to murder friend
