A TEENAGER and his mother caught with class A drugs at their home in a police raid have been spared jail.
In the early morning bust at an address in Cowley officers found nearly £3,000 of cocaine as well as drugs paraphernalia and cannabis.
Leeann O'Callaghan, 43, and Kailum O'Callaghan, 19, of Saunders Road, Oxford, both appeared for sentencing in connection at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.
Leeann O'Callaghan had admitted one count of permitting the use of a premises for the supply of class B drugs - cannabis.
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Her son, Kailum, admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine at the same address in the Cowley area of the city.
Outlining the case prosecutor Michael Hillman said police raided a house on Saunders Road shortly before 7am on September 19 2017.
Both mother and son were found at the address and police discovered a number of items relating to the supply of drugs.
During the search police found 6.61g of herbal cannabis, six mobile phones and two sets of digital scales.
Officers also found a stash of class A drugs, representing 28.3g of cocaine, which carried a street value of approximately £2,830.
A phone belonging to Leeann showed a message from another asking whether Kailum was home and had any cannabis.
She confirmed he was home and had drugs.
Interviewed by police Kailum said he lived at the house with his mother and admitted having the cannabis but denied any knowledge of the cocaine found there.
Leeann, too, claimed she was unaware of the class A drugs.
They later pleaded guilty to their involvement in the drug dealing operation.
The court heard that while Leanne has no previous convictions Kailum has a number for drug dealing offences.
In mitigation Peter Du Feu said that his client, Kailum, committed the offence when just 17 and was still a teenager.
He added that his client was very well supported by his partner.
Phil Holden, defending Leeann, said that his client was a single mother looking after four children, and she played a 'very limited' role in the circumstances.
Sentencing, Judge Maria Lamb said Leeann had been 'very foolish' to involve herself in the drugs operation.
She was ordered to pay a fine of £250, with a default period of 14 days in prison if she fails to pay.
Speaking of Kailum, Judge Lamb said he had 'a pretty bad record' and told him: "It is time to grow up and support your partner and your child."
She said the offence had to be marked by a prison sentence, albeit one that could be suspended.
Kailum was jailed for a total of 12 months for the single count, suspended for two years.
He must also complete 25 days rehabilitation activity requirement as part of his sentence.
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