A CROWN Court judge has heaped praise on an Oswestry woman for remaining drug-free six months after he first deferred his sentence.

Jane Torrens, formerly of Prince Street in Oswestry but now living in Shrewsbury, was set to be sentenced in January this year for two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs specifically heroin and cocaine.

Police had raided her home in February 2022 and found her trying to hide around £6,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin, while Torrens told police that she was a solo operation.

OTHER NEWS:

Judge Peter Barrie, following probation advice, deferred sentencing for six months and Torrens was ordered to follow a monthly programme of drug tests and rehabilitation activity with appearances in court to monitor progress.

She appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday, July 15, for her sentence and Judge Barrie heard that she had maintained her negative tests for each month, despite facing a number of challenges.

Robert Edwards, defending, told Judge Barrie that while his client had not found permanent accommodation, she was working positively with Shropshire Council.

But he did confirm that Torrens had now secured benefits and was able to have some standard of living, all while remaining drug-free.

Judge Barrie was effusive in his praise for the defendant, highlighting that despite the pressure of uncertainty around accommodation and finances, Torrens did not turn to drugs to relieve the pressure.

He said: “The best news I’ve seen is the series of negative drug tests you’ve provided – well done.

“You’ve satisfied all the conditions I set in January and I know it hasn’t been easy, with problems about benefits and accommodation which has made life challenging.

“So it is all the more impressive that you’ve met them head-on without the need to take drugs, you’ve kept away from Oswestry and if you don’t mind me saying, you look a completely different person than in January.

“Well done.”

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

Judge Barrie sentenced Torrens to an 18-month community order and, acting on the probation service’s recommendation, extended the drug rehabilitation order by a further six months.  

He also ordered her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activity but did not impose a financial penalty.

However, a proceeds of criminal activity (POCA) timetable was established to allow the prosecution the opportunity to assess whether any money gained by the drug dealing can be reclaimed.