Embarrassed and ashamed, the mum who was victim of her own son’s behaviour

A mum who fell victim to her son’s drug dealing was hauled before a court after police found thousands of pounds worth of cannabis stashed at her home.

Erica Anderson, 50, was at home in Harpurhey when police executed a search warrant in 2021. At the same time, police raided her son’s home. The total value of the drugs found at both properties was estimated between £8,277 and £11,365, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Darius Anderson, 28, a ‘low-level’ drug dealer, had stashed some of the drugs, scales and cash at his mum’s house as part of the business. Sentencing them, the Recorder of Manchester Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: “She is a victim of her son’s behaviour, at the end of the day.”

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Darius Anderson was jailed for 30 months, for possession with intent to supply class B drugs, and after having previously breached a suspended sentence order. Erica Anderson, who was said to be ‘mortified’, was handed a community order.

Prosecuting, Andrew MacKintosh said that officers searched the home of Erica Anderson on Ashley Street, and found 151.7 grams of cannabis worth £1,500, with 553 grams of the drug in the kitchen, as well as snap bags, scales and cash. At Darius’ address officers found 143g of cannabis behind a wardrobe as well as a quantity of cash, the prosecutor said.

“The total value of the drugs found was between £8,277 and £11,365. They were arrested on the day of the searches, Mr Anderson gave no comment in his police interview.

“Ms Anderson gave a prepared statement and said that she knew nothing about the drugs found.”

Then in May this year, police went back to Ashley Lane after Darius had moved back home and executed a further search warrant. They found a large quantity of cannabis in the house, and 24 further deals of the drug in a white box in the garden.

Darius Anderson was said to have 14 previous convictions for 29 offences including possession with intent to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis. The court heard that in one incident, Darius was a passenger in a car that was pulled over. Inside officers found two freezer bags containing 54 packages of cannabis, £750 in cash and two mobile phones. He had also been handed a suspended sentence in August 2023 for the same offence.

Mitigating for Darius Anderson, Constance Halliwell said: “He understands the impact of drugs on the community. He is remorseful and sorry and regrets his actions.”

She said her client suffers with mental health issues and said his young daughter was the motivation for ‘turning his life around’.

Erica Anderson was said to have no previous convictions.

“This is the first time she is before the courts. She is utterly ashamed of herself, she is mortified and embarrassed,” said her barrister, Graham Rishton.

He said the mum-of-four had previously worked as a personal assistance within social services for a number of years and now acted as a carer for her daughter who had significant mental health difficulties.

Mr Rishton described it as a ‘life utterly at odds’ with her son.

Addressing Erica, Judge Dean KC said: “In June 2021, you were involved in the storage of drugs that your son was keeping. You were a victim of your son’s activities. The behaviour you have pleaded guilty to does involve a choice by you.

“If it wasn’t for your son’s behaviour, you would not have offended.”

Ms Anderson, of Ashley Lane, was handed a 12 month community order as well as a two month electronically monitored curfew between the hours of 9.30pm to 6am. She previously pleaded guilty to an offence of permitting her premises to be used.

Darius Anderson, of Ashley Lane, was jailed for 30 months. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class B drugs.