Reading Crown Court: Judge throws lifeline to Thatcham drug dealer

A JUDGE took “a leap of faith” for a heroin and cocaine dealer after hearing how she was ‘cuckooed’ in her home.

The term is used when dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person in order to use it as a base for supplying.

Judge Heather Nott had been reluctant to suspend the inevitable prison sentence on Thatcham addict Charlotte Louise Dudley, pointing out she routinely flouted court orders or went on the run.

But she relented following an impassioned plea from Dudley’s barrister.

Reading Crown Court heard on Friday, April 28, how detectives raided the 49-year-old former Kennet School pupil’s Urquhart Road home and found hundreds of pounds worth of both Class A controlled drugs, alongside evidence of dealing.

Dudley was released under investigation but was soon re-arrested and found to be concealing both heroin and crack cocaine in a Kinder egg she had hidden inside her body, the court heard.

She admitted supplying both Class A-controlled drugs in Thatcham in June, 2020.

Dudley also has 47 previous convictions, the court heard.

John Upton, prosecuting, acknowledged there may have been pressure placed on her by others but pointed out: “This isn’t a modern slavery case.”

However Caroline Baker, for Dudley, said her client had been “exploited by those above her in the chain,” and asked Judge Nott to suspend any prison sentence she passed.

Judge Nott replied: “I agree it is eminently suspendable but I have no faith that she’d comply [with the terms].

“She hasn’t co-operated with these proceedings; she doesn’t turn up for probation appointments.”

Judge Nott added that the court had had to issue an arrest warrant just to ensure Dudley’s attendance.

She went on: “She’s broken court orders – she’s breached them all.

“She’s had 15 years worth of support and hasn’t addressed her issues.”

Nevertheless, she acknowledged that Dudley has suffered sexual violence in an abusive relationship and had “likely been cuckooed and subject to an element of duress”.

Dudley herself, in a letter to the judge, wrote: “I don’t know how to say how deeply sorry I am for these offences; I’ve been reflecting on my life.”

Ms Baker pleaded with Judge Nott to give her client a chance to stay out of prison and concluded: “It’s a real leap of faith.

“I invite Your Honour to take it.”

Judge Nott did just that, telling Dudley: “I’m going to give you a chance.”

She sentenced her to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

In addition, she was ordered to undergo regular drug screening as part of a 12 month drug rehabilitation requirement.

Dudley told Judge Nott: “I won’t let you down.

“I will not fail.”