Fearful Leeds woman who was mixed up with murderer spared jail for drug-dealing offence
She helped him sell the substances after coming under his spell, court told
A woman who admitted becoming involved in drug dealing has been spared immediate custody, after becoming involved with a paroled murderer.
Sarah Brown got into a romantic relationship with convicted killer Amin Ali, with the pair both caught selling drugs in Leeds city centre.
Sobbing Brown was given a suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court after it was heard she was scared of Ali and felt pressured into “going along with him”.
The court heard that an officer was working undercover on the night of February 15, when a Toyota car pulled over on Lower Briggate in Leeds and a man offered to sell him “sniff” - slang for cocaine.
The car drove off after the officer declined, but other officers were informed and they stopped the grey car minutes later.
Ali was arrested, as was 35-year-old Brown who was in the front passenger seat. Bags of cocaine were recovered.
Brown’s home address was searched and more drugs were found, along with dealer bags and scales. Prosecutor Zanisha Herbert said the value of the cocaine recovered came to £3,847.
Brown’s phone was analysed and was found to contain messages related to dealing.
She later admitted being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
It was heard that she got into a relationship with Ali, who was convicted of murder in 2008, and he began to store drugs at her address on Fearnley Place, New Wortley.
She later told police that he asked her to “find new customers”.
Brown told a probation officer that she had “made a foolish mistake”, having started a relationship with Ali on his release from prison.
Judge Simon Batiste told Brown: “You became aware he was dealing drugs and you were somewhat afraid of not go along with what he was doing.
“You were never given any money as a result.”
Brown was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days with probation.
Judge Batiste told her: “You have come mighty close to going to prison today.”
Meanwhile, 38-year-old Ali, of Field Lane, Ravensthorpe, was jailed for 45 months in March.
He was given life sentence, to serve a minimum of 12 years, in 2008 for robbing and then beating a teenager to death in a Dewsbury park.