Husband and wife’s drug dealing caught as police stopped their Tesla

James and Lucy Wells were later found to have kilogrammes of cannabis stashed away in the home they shared with their children.

Appearing for sentence at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, the 35-year-olds were spared jail however due to the impact their incarceration would have on the children.

Both admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possessing criminal property, while James pleaded guilty to an additional charge of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Outlining the Crown’s case, prosecutor Christopher Hopkins said that officers from Cheshire Police stopped a Tesla Model Y in Warrington on February 2 last year.

The stop was due to intelligence that the vehicle was involved in drug dealing, with James driving and his wife in the passenger seat.

The court heard how he had a smell of cannabis on him, but a roadside drug test proved to be negative, and he said he had not used cannabis for 10 years since he became a dad.

Cash was also recovered from the car, which the male defendant said was related to his business selling street food.

A further search of the car was conducted and officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis from the boot, and the pair were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

As a result, police searched the pair’s home, where they recovered a number of sealed packs of cannabis, including from the loft, as well as street deal sized quantities.

In total, 3.9kg of cannabis was seized, with the court hearing this had a lower value of £39,000, as well as £13,687.70 in cash.

The court heard a street food van was parked at the property, on Buckingham Drive in Sankey Bridges, however it was said that it looked as if it had not moved recently.

The pair’s mobile phones were seized and analysed, revealing messages related to drug dealing activity and deliveries, with the indictment period spanning November 2022 and February 2023.

“There is evidence that both defendants were enthusiastically involved in the supply of cannabis,” Mr Hopkins said.

It was also said that there was no evidence of the pair being in debt, with James being paid between £31,000 and £37,000 in the 12 months prior to the offending.

Mr Hopkins revealed that both have some cautions on their record, including James for possessing cannabis, but he has no previous convictions, while Lucy has unrelated previous convictions dating back to 2012.

“Both played an operational function, with an expectation of a significant financial advantage, and had an awareness and understanding of the scale of the operation,” Mr Hopkins said.

Mitigating on behalf of James, Jason Smith commented that his client had been ‘trying to bury his head away from the consequences of what happened’.

“It is a shame to see someone of good character before the court. People think highly of him, and to see him before the court for such serious offences is tragic,” he said.

It was said that he is ‘ashamed and remorseful’, and that he had the ‘real sense and courage and bravery’ to plead guilty, with the barrister asking for the custodial sentence to be suspended.

James and Lucy Wells were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court

Defending Lucy, Charles Lander referenced how she played a ‘subsidiary role’ compared to her husband, and how her involvement was out of ‘naivety and loyalty’ to him.

He too asked the court to suspend her sentence, commenting: “There is a real danger here that their young children – aged eight and 11 – could both be without their parents.

“Neither defendant has told the children about these matters, and family are looking after them today.

“The thought terrifies this defendant, who is not sleeping. I accept they brought the conduct on themselves.”

Before sentencing, recorder Peter Cowan said: “This clearly was a sophisticated operation for dealing cannabis. The criminal enterprise amounted to making substantial profit.

“It is a matter of dismay to see two people of your age in the crown court over such serious offences.

“These offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.

“These are illegal drugs. Cannabis is harmful to people’s health, but more to the point, in terms of criminality, people engage in crime to fund their use of cannabis.

“It causes all sorts of violent and acquisitive crime. That is why the courts take the view that dealing cannabis attracts custodial sentences.”

However, due to both being deemed ‘realistic prospects for rehabilitation’ and considering the impact their incarceration would have on their children, the sentences were suspended.

Lucy was sentenced to 21 months in prison suspended for 12 months, during which time she must complete a six-month mental health treatment requirement and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Turning to James, Recorder Cowan said: “It is a much closer call in your case. A strong part of me indicates my public duty requires immediate custody to send a message out to those who make profit from illegal drug dealing.

“But children need their father as much as they need their mother, and you have a good record and a good prospect of rehabilitation.

“Overall, although it may be difficult for the public to understand, the greater good in the long run would be not sending you to prison.

“Goodness knows the prisons are under strain in any event.”

James was handed two years in prison suspended for two years, as well as 240 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Both will appear back before the court later this year for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing to determine how much, if any, of their ill-gotten gains they will be required to repay.

Recorder Cowen added: “It is deeply troubling to see you both in the dock. I hope neither of you come into contact with the criminal justice system again.

“You have lost your good character now, and you will never get that back.”