Gainsborough: Mother-of-three jailed after being caught on street with heroin and cocaine

Claire Embling, 30, was stopped in the town by police officers who suspected she may be dealing drugs, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Mark Achurch, prosecuting, said when it became clear that Embling was going to be searched she handed over a large lump of crack-cocaine which weighed 11.59 grams.

The quantity of crack-cocaine could be divided into 57 different £20 deals with a street value of around £1,140.

Mr Achurch told the court Embling also handed over six foiled wraps of heroin which weighed 2.18 grams in total.

“If sold as slightly under weight 0.4 gram deals they had a street value of £120,” Mr Achurch added.

When police searched Embling’s home they found £355 in cash, foil, plastic bags and a set of electronic scales which contained traces of both crack-cocaine and heroin.

Embling made no comment during her police interviews but in a prepared statement claimed an unknown male had asked her to hold the drugs for him.

David Eager, mitigating, told the court Embling had no previous convictions and there was no evidence of dealing on her mobile phone.

Mr Eager added: “The most important factor is what happens to her three children if she goes to prison.

“The youngest is just 11-months-old and she does not have a partner to look after the children.”

Embling, of Linwood Close, Gainsborough, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply on August 13 last year.

Passing sentence, Judge John John Pini QC told Embling: “You knew you had these children who were your responsibility when you committed these offences.”

The judge added: “I’m quite satisfied you were involved in peddling these drugs on the streets because you were on benefits and needed extra money.

“The tragedy of this is your three children, and it is a tragedy.”

The judge also made an order confiscating the £355 in cash to be seized from Embling.