Gloucester mum, 40, dealt heroin and cocaine to fund private education for children

MUM Sophia Bailey became a drug dealer to fund private education for her children after she lost her job.

Police found crack cocaine and heroin in a hot chocolate tin in the 40-year-old's kitchen when they raided her home in Alexandra Road, Gloucester.

Gloucester Crown Court heard Bailey was an illegal immigrant when she started trading in the drugs.

Judge William Hart jailed her for 40 months and he said he "fondly hoped" she would be deported on release.

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"You are a Jamaican national and of previous good character," said the judge.

"Quite why you chose at the age of 38 and with no previous convictions to get involved in this only you can know.

"I am quite satisfied you approached someone of similar national origin to yourself and you asked to go into business as a 'sub dealer' for him."

She admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply and possessing crack cocaine.

She also pleaded guilty to removing the proceeds of crime – £7,920 – from the UK by transferring it to Jamaica between January 1, 2011 and January 10, 2013, and possession of £1,500 which she knew represented the proceeds of crime.

Prosecutor Lisa Hennessy said: "She told the police she had been dealing drugs for the previous two years, having lost her cash-in-hand job.

"It was clear she had managed to transfer £23,000 in cash to people in Jamaica during the previous five or six years. It emerged she was an illegal immigrant who had absconded from UK Border Agency control in 2008."

Lloyd Jenkins, defending, said her life had "fallen into the doldrums" when she lost her job in December 2010. He said: "She also two children, now aged 18 and 20, who had very expensive school fees."

Judge Hart certified that Bailey had benefited by £14,310 from crime and had £1,650 available for confiscation.