A BASINGSTOKE couple got into financial difficulties during the Covid pandemic and turned to drug dealing, a court has been told.

Jenni Archer and William Gray appeared in court earlier this afternoon (July 2) where they were sentenced for drug offences.

The court heard how Gray, 39, had been purchasing cannabis for his partner Archer, 38, who was using it medicinally to treat chronic fatigue, as well as making oils for her mother.

But after his newly-formed vintage clothing business took a hit during the first lockdown, he ran up a debt with his dealer and was roped into dealing himself to pay it back.

Stopped after Popley drug deal

The Gazette has previously reported how a man and a woman, now known to be the couple, were spotted making a drug deal by police in June 2020 near Abbey Road stores in Popley.

The BMW they were driving was followed by officers, although they lost sight of it. It was later pulled over at Sainsbury's, where cannabis, cocaine and cash was found.

Police searched the couple's address, on Ferndown Close in Beggarwood, where they found ten cannabis plants that Archer had been growing in order to treat herself.

Prosecutor Andy Houston told Winchester Crown Court on Friday that when stopped, police asked Archer whether she had anything she was not supposed to, to which she said she did.

Several bags were found in the car containing cannabis, split into deals that had a total street value of up to £815, as well as £900 in cash, a notebook containing a deal list and a mobile phone belonging to Gray that indicated drug dealing.

"Police found five mature cannabis plants growing in the loft, and five plants in the airing cupboard on the first floor," Mr Houston continued.

"In the kitchen alongside a set of scales, was a jar (with more cannabis)."

Mr Houston labelled the offences as "street dealing", but said they both played "significant roles".

Archer had admitted production of cannabis, whilst Gray had pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with the intent to supply it.

They both further admitted possessing cocaine.

"Your Honour would have read in the pre-sentence report that these plants were specifically chosen because they had a lower yield, a medical type yield," Andrew Horsell, defending Archer, said with reference to the plants found.

"These plants were being grown for her own medicinal purposes and to make oils for her mother.

"The motivation behind that gives an indication, a feel for the role," he continued, arguing she played a lesser role.

Covid debts take toll

Adrienne Knight, defending Gray, said that the couple had started a new vintage clothing business in the months leading up to the first Covid lockdown in March 2020.

They borrowed £2,000 to find office space, and had to pay rent whilst they were unable to use it.

When he fell into debt buying cannabis for his partner, his dealer "persuaded" him that he could work off the debt by dealing for him, Miss Knight said.

"He had no control over anybody, and there was nobody below him [in the hierarchy]. He had no direction, his limited function was to pay off his debt that way."

She continued: "There should be a high level of credit here, right from the very beginning Mr Gray wanted to get this matter done and dusted. He did not want a trial.

"He was trying very hard to negotiate his way through this because he was absolutely terrified of going to prison.

"The offences are over one year old and he has had that hanging over his head.

"This has been a lesson for him and he is not going to be before the courts again."

'I am giving you both a chance'

Sentencing the pair, Her Honour Judge Jane Miller QC gave Gray a suspended prison sentence, because of a previous conviction for fraud.

She sentenced him to ten months in prison, suspended for two years, whilst also being required to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and ten days of rehabilitation activities.

Meanwhile, Archer was given a two-year community order, in which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

"It is fairly obvious to me that it is appropriate in this case that I am not going to send either of you to custody," Judge Miller told the defendants.

"I hope you realise for two people appearing in the Crown Court on serious drug charges, I am dealing with you both leniently and giving you both a chance. I hope that we will not see you again."