A WEYMOUTH woman convicted of being in possession of a large quantity of cocaine and heroin with the intent to supply has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

Sharon Ann Riley, of Lichfield Road, admitted two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Riley, 45, was given a suspended sentence after police found her and her co-defendant, Tyiece Maskell, in a broken down car in a car park in Dorchester with 40 individual wraps of heroin and 16 individual wraps of cocaine worth a total of £720.

Maskell was sentenced at a previous hearing.

Prosecuting, Andrew Houston, told Bournemouth Crown Court that police stopped a car on the evening of May 1, 2019 which was being driven by Maskell who had come from London.

Police saw the defendant in the vehicle fidgeting and trying to put something down her left hand side and trying to conceal what she was doing.

Mr Houston said she was found with a large quantity of Class A drugs underneath where she was sitting in the car.

He said that Riley told officers she was friends with Maskell but 'could not or would not' go into any more detail.

Police searched Riley's home where two crack pipes, envelopes containing lists relating to dealing and a set of digital scales were found.

Mr Houston said that initially Riley denied the drugs found belonged to her as well as any involvement in the supply of drugs.

Mitigating, Rosemary Burns, said Riley had never been in trouble with police before she entered into a bad relationship with a man in 2017.

Ms Burns said: "Unfortunately she fell in love with him and discovered drugs."

The court heard Riley, who was a cleaner at the time, became addicted and began stealing from people and stopped paying her bills to fund her drug habit.

Ms Burns added: "She [Riley] said 'it was not me when I did those things, I only offended because I was using drugs'."

She said the car they were in had broken down in the car park when they were found by the police.

The court heard that Riley has been drug free since 2020. Ms Burns said that she had started working again as a housekeeper where she is trusted by her two bosses.

Ms Burns concluded: "It would be really unfortunate to see her going straight to prison today."

Judge William Mousley QC said Riley pleaded guilty on the basis that she effectively fell into drug use and assisted in the supply to get free drugs herself.

The judge said that with the knowledge of the local area, Riley was able to assist in the supply of Class A drugs.

However, he noted that Riley had been drug free for some time, had glowing reference reports from her current employers, and had since separated from her partner 'who was quite clearly a bad influence'.

Judge Mousley sentenced Riley to a total of 21 months imprisonment suspended for two years. She must undertake 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and the defendant must pay £500 towards costs.

Her co-defendant Maskell was sentenced on July 11 and was given a similar sentence of 21 months imprisonment suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid work, 25 days of rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and must pay £500 towards costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was also made for a phone, cash and drugs.