Devon woman tried swallowing drug wraps after being spotted by police

A woman tried swallowing wraps of cocaine and heroin after police spotted her dealing drugs in an alley. Gemma Williams, 46, attempted to consume the evidence in Richmond Walk in Barnstaple, a court heard.

An officer ordered her to "spit them out" and she was arrested at the scene. The incident in August was the latest in a series of run-ins with police in the town.

In the last year, Williams has been arrested four times in possession of heroin and cocaine. On one occasion, medical staff at North Devon District Hospital alerted police after finding her in possession of drugs on the premises after she had been admitted.

Williams appeared for sentence at Exeter Crown Court after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply drugs. The judge adjourned saying he would give her a chance to speak to probation and prove she had the right attitude to get clean.

Prosecutor Lewis Aldous said police arrested Williams after spotting her handing a wrap to a drug user. As the officer approached, Williams put her hand to her mouth and consumed a number of wraps containing drugs.

She spat them out after about 10 seconds, added the prosecutor. Police found more wraps and hundreds of pounds in cash during a search and she admitted dealing during an interview.

She said she had built up a drugs debt of about £1,000 and was dealing to pay the money off. The defendant has 66 offences to her name, many for theft, violence and drugs, said the prosecutor.

The defendant, of Rye Farm, Loxhore, asked for five other drug offences to be taken into consideration.

Feleena Grosvenor, defending, said Williams was a user and an addict at the time but desperately wants to get clean. She said the defendant was suitable for a drug rehabilitation requirement.

Judge David Evans said he would adjourn sentence for Williams to be assessed. "I can't give you a 100 per cent guarantee what your sentence will be on November 11 but I'm going to reserve the case to myself. You must fully engage with a DRR assessment."

He warned Williams, who has been in custody for two months, that prison could still be an option when she is sentenced.

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