A WHITCHURCH drug dealer has been jailed and his partner-in-crime handed a suspended sentence after police found thousands of pounds worth of cocaine at their home.

Mold Crown Court heard that Sarah Quelch and Shane Roberts, of Talbot Street, spent months supplying cocaine across the Welsh border between November 2019 and January 2020, with Quelch setting up deals and Roberts carrying them out.

Their operation was cracked when Roberts, 43, was stopped by suspicious officers while travelling through Bangor-on-Dee on his way back from Wrexham, and found to have a Samsung phone and high purity cocaine in his car.

Police then swooped on his property, where they found Quelch, 41, as well as drug paraphernalia and more cocaine.

In total, officers recovered over £3,000 worth of the class A narcotic from the drug dealing duo, which will now be destroyed.

Cocaine was also found in the jacket Quelch wore to Llay Police Station – which turned out to belong to Roberts.

Police examined two mobile phones belonging to Quelch, and found several messages that indicated the setting up of drug deals – with some referring to her by name.

In her first police interview, Quelch explained how she had recently split with Roberts, but she continued staying at his address.

She denied knowing anything about the dealing – but said she was aware Roberts used drugs himself.

Roberts’ defence, Gareth Roberts, said his client knew the seriousness of what he had done could lead to prison.

He added that Roberts acknowledges his actions were wrong and have brought ‘shame’ to his family.

Mr Roberts said that Roberts was, for all intends and purposes, a ‘normal, hardworking man’ until his marriage broke down a few years ago and found himself estranged from his family.

This was the start of Roberts abusing alcohol and Class A drugs, he added – and as he spiralled into debt he began to sell drugs.

He called it an ‘all-too familiar story’ heard in courts with cases like this, asking the judge to consider his desperate situation when fixing his punishment.

Quelch’s defence, Mr Simon Rogers, said his client had shown remorse about the events that unfolded.

Until now, he added, Quelch has no criminal history but fell foul of drug addiction herself.

He said her cocaine addiction had ‘destroyed’ her life but has made open admissions about wanting to ‘get help’.

At Mold Crown Court on Wednesday morning, Roberts was jailed for two years and 11 months, of which half will be served on licence, with Judge Nicola Jones telling him custody was her “only option”.

Quelch was given a 21-month sentence, but this was fully suspended because of the candid account of how her addiction had taken hold, and her desire to change.

Passing sentence, Judge Jones told Quelch that her role was lesser of the two in this case, adding that she should use this opportunity to “get her life in order” if not for herself then for her children.

Judge Jones said: “If you do not do something, you will die from your addiction.

“I’m in no doubt about that. Please do not waste this chance I’m giving you.”

During her sentence, Quelch must complete a rehabilitation programme.