A KIDDERMINSTER woman, who hid behind her relationship with a convicted drug trafficker, has been jailed.

Sinead Lavelle, aged 34, of Offmore Road was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine after a four-week trial in December last year.

She was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court on Friday, June 10 to three years in prison.

Four men, including her partner Gareth Pegler of Saxon Way, Wychbold, were convicted of drug-related offences during the same trial and subsequently sentenced to a total of more than 26 years in prison.

The other men were Mighele Massey of Stourbridge Road, Dudley; Karl Browning of Hurcott Road, Kidderminster and Darren Pegler of Coronation Way, Kidderminster. 

His Honour Judge Martin Jackson said in his summing up that although Lavelle may not have been a totally willing participant she was at the very least turning a blind eye, having previously said about Gareth Pegler "he does what he does".

Lavelle was told: "You stayed and rekindled a relationship with a partner who is a professional criminal so there has to be a price to pay".

Her role in the enterprise involved collecting drugs, paying those involved and being present on some of the drugs trips including at times with her children.

Detective Sergeant Gareth Evans said: "Wives and partners often try and hide behind the relationship claiming a lack of knowledge in an attempt to evade prosecution, as Sinead Lavelle did in this case.

”She assisted with the enterprise and benefited from both the profits and the lifestyle.

"As a result of her involvement and sentence, her children are now faced with the unfortunate situation where both parents are absent and serving sentences in prison."

He added: "Anyone who involves themselves in criminality,  or turns a blind eye to benefit from the profits, will be actively pursued by West Mercia Police.”