Drug dealing newlyweds spared jail after judge said they were too old to be caged – at age of 44
Ex-dustman Stewart Millard and his shop assistant wife Sharon had assisted unnamed relatives in peddling amphetamine, and super-strength skunk cannabis by storing the drugs at their matrimonial home
A NEWLYWED couple caught dealing drugs have escaped jail after a judge said that to old to be locked up at just 44-years of age.
Ex-dustman Stewart Millard and his shop assistant wife Sharon had assisted unnamed relatives in peddling amphetamine, and super-strength skunk cannabis by storing the drugs at their matrimonial home.
But both were let off with suspended sentences after Judge Pamela Badley accused Millard of "getting on a bit" and condemned his wife for being "naive and stupid" and indulging in ''complete folly.''
The hapless pair - who tied the knot in a Valentines Day ceremony in 2014 - had been arrested following a drugs bust on their home in Fleetwood, Lancs on November 26 2015.
Officers found a small package of amphetamines from under a living room chair whilst up to £1,300 worth of skunk was found under a bed in the couple's bedroom.
Further searches revealed a shoe box containing 908 grammes of amphetamines valued at up to £9,000. A ''debtors list'' of clients was also recovered from the house along with scales that had traces of cannabis on them.
Preston Crown Court heard the couple initially denied drug dealing - claiming the drugs were for their own use. But they later pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to supply - admitting they were storing the drugs for an unnamed relative.
The court heard Millard had a string of previous convictions for dishonesty offences and possession of cannabis and possession of amphetamines in 2007 and 2010 as well as burglary offences.
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In imposing sentence of nine months jail suspended for a year, the judge said: ""Frankly it was a team effort, it was family business, they were acting together.
"I don't accept that this was a situation where you did not know what was going on.
"This was a family decision but against that backdrop I understand the reality that this was not the drug business that each of you set up.
"You had a taste of cannabis. When you dabble with drugs it leads you into contact with drug dealers.
"When these drug dealers are family members it becomes very hard to resist. You are really too old.
''Stewart Millard is getting on a bit, 44 is quite old to be in prison with all the restrictions. Given his antecedent record he is becoming an old lag.
"In your case Steward Millard you have got a record which stretches back quite a long time.
"Now, you have been able to resist offending, you have in many regards become a retired criminal - your offending dates back to the late part of last century.
"When you are concerned in the supplying of drugs you are part of a chain. However I do accept these circumstances are somewhat unusual.
''Sharon Millard, you have got no previous convictions . You have stupidly got yourself into a habit of taking cannabis that led you directly into the drug culture.
"It was quite a tidy amount of amphetamines, well within the level that people without convictions go to prison for.
"You have never seen the inside of Styal Prison but I have to say you would not like it it's really no place that you want to aim for time and I take the view that this has been a considerable shock.
"For a lady who has no previous convictions this was a complete folly. The recommendation for you is unpaid work, but you have got a job.
"I want you to keep your present job and be aware that you are fortunate to be able to work and provide for your family. "
Earlier in mitigation for Mr Millard, defence barrister Chris Hudson said: "He should have been frank from the start - but eventually he had the decency to plead guilty.''
For Mrs Millard, Peter Horgan said: "Mrs Millard appears before this court for the first time. It's to her shame, embarrassment and fear that she stands in this court today knowing she may well end the day in prison."
Mr Millard must also complete 100 hours unpaid work couple with a three month curfew between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
She must complete 80 hours unpaid work and complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for women.
Both must each pay £300 prosecution costs.
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