Hairdresser who ran drug trafficking racket with ex-lover spared jail

Hairdresser, 27, who ran an ecstasy and cannabis trafficking racket with her ex-boyfriend is spared jail after she said it would have a ‘detrimental impact’ on his child – despite the pair splitting after their arrest

• Michael Moores was jailed for two and a half years from possessing drugs
• Amy Stevens says she had ‘caring responsibilities’ for Moores’ eight-year-old son
• She was given two years in jail, suspended for two years after a judge accepted

A hairdresser who helped her ex-boyfriend run am ecstasy and cannabis trafficking racket has is spared jail she said it would have a ‘detrimental impact’ on his child – despite the pair splitting after their arrest.

Amy Stevens, 27, faced being locked up alongside Michael Moores after police found her mobile phone had been used to sell drugs including Ecstasy and cannabis.

But Stevens who has no children of her own claimed she had ‘caring responsibilities’ for Moores’ eight-year-old son – even though the couple split up after their arrest following a three-month fling.

She said she also sees her god-daughter on a daily basis and the two children had become close friends themselves however, Moores disputes Stevens’ claims about his son.

At Chester Crown Court, Stevens, of Macclesfield, Cheshire was facing up to four and a half years in jail after she admitted being concerned in the supply of Ecstasy, cannabis, THC liquid, and diazepam.

Amy Stevens, 27, (left) faced being locked up alongside Michael Moores (right) after police found her mobile phone had been used to sell drugs including Ecstasy and cannabis

She was given two years in jail, suspended for two years after a judge accepted Moores’ son and her goddaughter would suffer ‘harm’ if she were locked up. 

She was also ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitative activity.

Former factory fitter, Moores, 28, who has joint custody of his son with the youngster’s mother was jailed for two and a half years after he admitted possessing of drugs of Class A, B, and C with intent to supply and acquiring criminal property.

The court heard the couple had started dating in June 2020 but their relationship crumbled after police raided the homes of Moores and his grandmother in Macclesfield on September 28 that same year.

Prosecutor Sarah Badrawy said: ‘At Moores’ home, officers recovered and seized cannabis ‘edibles’ in a fridge in the kitchen, a black rucksack containing cannabis from a kitchen cupboard and a large ball of amphetamine from the fridge freezer in the kitchen.

‘Located behind a false plug socket in a void in the wall in the kitchen was a small cash box which contained cocaine and MDMA and cash.

‘Amy Stevens was present at the address and informed officers that she was Mr Moores’ girlfriend. Her mobile telephone was seized and it was found to contain evidence of her involvement in the supply of MDMA, cannabis, THC and diazepam between June and August 2020.’

In all officers seized 32.39g of MDMA worth £660, 4.32g of cocaine worth £560, and a variety of forms of cannabis, including 354g of female flowering head, 4.245kg of edibles and 15.9ml of THC liquid, all with a value of £4,360. 

She was given two years in jail, suspended for two years after a judge accepted Moores’ son and her goddaughter would suffer ‘harm’ if she were locked up

There was also 56.4g of amphetamine worth £160, 5.77g of ketamine valued at £180, and three boxes of diazepam with a value of £60.

The total overall value of controlled drugs was £5,980 while the total amount of cash seized was £527.

Stevens who has no previous convictions later said she had simply allowed Moores to use her phone and bank account for drug dealing and had ‘limited involvement.’ in the racket. She also said she had been in an abusive eight year relationship with another boyfriend prior to Moores.

Her counsel Rebecca Penfold told the court: ‘There are two children she has an active involvement with.

‘There is the son of the co-accused who she sees twice per week, which also involves picking him up from school and giving him his tea.

‘She has maintained the role of stepmother despite the relationship between her and the co-accused breaking down.

‘She is also a godmother to a girl and sees her daily. The children have developed a close relationship themselves and a custodial sentence would have a detrimental impact on them.’

Miss Penfold also handed the judge a letter from the boy’s mother, which told of her support for the child.

She went on: ‘The defendant does suffer from PTSD and is prescribed medication for that as there has been significant trauma in the past. A custodial sentence would weigh more heavily on her and would exacerbate that. Through me she offers her remorse.

Chester Crown Court heard the couple had started dating in June 2020 but their relationship crumbled after police raided the homes of Moores

‘With her credit for her guilty plea, her mental health condition and previous trauma and caring responsibilities for her goddaughter and stepson, I invite you to suspend a custodial sentence.’

For Moores, Isobel Thomas said: ‘His son is now eight years old and he has joint custody with the mother of the child. It’s a very good relationship and plainly Mr Moore is heavily involved in the boy’s life.

‘He was a regular drug user particularly of cannabis but when social services were involved after his arrest they put him on a drugs course. He took full advantage of it and has not smoked cannabis since. He has limited previous convictions which were far more minor in nature.’

Sentencing the judge Mr Recorder Lawrence MacDonald said despite Moores’ mitigation, he was unable to suspend any sentence due the ‘seriousness’ of dealing in class A drugs.

But he told Stevens: ‘You were in a relatively new romantic relationship with Michael Moores having earlier been in an eight-year relationship marred by domestic violence.

‘You allowed Mr Moores to use your phone and to use your bank account and all of your actions were performed under direction and your involvement was limited.

‘I have been asked to pay particular attention about the significant trauma and the PTSD which you are suffering from and to have particular regard for Mr Moores’ son and your goddaughter.

‘I note that the issue of the boy is in some dispute but whilst I am not able to reach a conclusion on that, I can suspend your sentence due to there being a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and your caring responsibilities, even if disputed in relation to Mr Moores’ son. Immediate custody will result in harm to others.’

A Proceeds of Crime hearing will be held later in the year.

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