Deborah Paxton, 51, denied selling the Class B drug to users until the day of her trial at York Magistrates’ Court, when she changed her plea.[1] Paxton, of Spalding Avenue in Clifton, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis between September 2024 and December 2024.[1] The court gave her a 12-month prison sentence, described as the maximum possible at a magistrates’ court, suspended for 12 months on condition she complete 12 months’ probation supervision and commit no further offences.[1]
She had been arrested after police raided her home in Clifton and found mobile phones and £1,521 in cash.[1] When police inspected the phones they found evidence of her involvement in drug supply, the court heard.[1]
Her solicitor Andrew Craven said she knew a man who used several drugs and had run up drug debts, with the people owed the money demanding payment.[1] Craven said the man suggested that, since they both knew cannabis users, Paxton sell cannabis to pay off his debts or sell it on behalf of those who supplied him.[1] Paxton had denied the charge after being charged because she said the man was more involved than she was.[1]
Craven told the court the man had promised Paxton throughout the proceedings that he would make a statement to police but had not done so.[1] Deputy district judge Nick Hayles said it had been a conspiracy between the two and that Paxton had taken the blame because the man was more vulnerable.[1] Craven said the man had mental health problems and had never worked.[1] Paxton had not worked for 20 years and said through her solicitor that she had various medical problems.[1] The judge noted that she did not produce any evidence of her medical issues.[1]
