A woman who sold small quantities of cocaine to a her friends for social use has been locked up for 16 months. Louise Dobbs' advocate told the court that his client had not appreciated the seriousness of what she was doing at the time but a judge rejected that assertion and said anyone who was dealing in Class A drugs knew how serious the offending was and what fate awaited them if they were caught.
Georgia Donohue, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that police went to Dobbs' address in the Swansea Valley on January 4 this year as part of an investigation into another individual. The defendant's phone was seized and examined and on the device officers found messages relating to cocaine. The defendant was arrested and subsequently answered "no comment" to all questions asked in interview. It emerged that since the previous Boxing Day Dobbs had small bought quantities of cocaine which she then split into 0.4g deals and sold on to friends who use the drug "socially" when they are together.
Louse Natalie Dobbs, aged 30, of Lon Heddwch, Craig Cefn Parc, Clydach, Swansea Valley admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine when she appeared in the dock for sentencing. She has three previous convictions for four offences but none involve drugs.
Read next: Get the latest court cases sent to your email inbox with our Crime & Punishment newsletter
Andrew Evans, for Dobbs, said at the time of the offence the defendant did not appreciate the seriousness of what she was doing in supplying what his client termed a "party drug" on the basis she was dealing to a small number of friends who consumed the substance while together. The advocate said Dobbs now realises supplying drugs is a "pernicious trade" and he said if the defendant was fortunate to retain her liberty she had indicated she wanted to put something back into the community to make recompense her offending.
Judge Paul Thomas KC said he did not accept the assertion that Dobbs was unaware of the seriousness of supplying a Class A drug. He told the defendant: "Those who deal in Class A drugs, in my view, do so in full knowledge that a prison sentence will inevitably follow. People like you take risks to make some money and when you are caught you have to pay the price." The judge noted the defendant had been given sentences of non-immediate custody in the past and on two of those occasions had failed to comply with them. He said he had concluded there was no realistic prospect of rehabilitation in her case. With a one-third discount for her guilty plea Dobbs was sentenced to 16 months prison. The defendant will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
READ NEXT:
Man tried to murder partner by repeatedly stabbing her with kitchen knife
A "prolific" drug dealer fled Wales and spent five years on the run in Pakistan
Christmas Eve shoplifter stood outside the store on his mobile trying to arrange a buyer
Woman set fire to door of neighbour's flat while she was still inside
You can sign up to our regular Crime and Punishment newsletter here while this interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area:
