AN Oxford student has avoided jail after she started dealing from her home to fund her addiction.

Melissa Cockram, 42, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (March 4) to two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, heroin and crack cocaine.

The Oxford Brookes student, who studies art and design, was caught in early 2021 with about £850 worth of drugs found in her home in Falcon Close, Oxford.

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Sentencing her to a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, Judge Ian Pringle said: “I’ve anxiously considered it I can properly suspend this sentence.

“You do not pose a risk of danger to the public and have no previous convictions.

"Is there a realistic prospect of rehabilitation? There is in this case because you’ve already recognised what the problem was and have tried to do something about it.

“You’re in active touch with Turning Point which is a first step. After considering these factors, I’ve come to the conclusion that I can suspend the sentence.”

Opening the case, prosecutor Kathy Oliver said that on February 5, 2021, police officers were observing properties in Falcon Road when they noticed two woman coming of Cockram’s home.

They stopped the unnamed woman and found on her Class A drugs.

Cockram had disappeared while the woman was being searched but later reappeared when it transpired that the officer’s were going to force their way into her property.

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Her home was searched and officers found 120 wraps of crack cocaine and 43 wraps of heroine. It equated in £850 in street value.

Police also found about £380 in cash.

Cockram was arrested and charged but she made no comments in her police interviews.

The court heard that she has no previous convictions.

Defending Cockram, her barrister Alex Granville said became involved in drug dealing to pay off her debt.

He said she has since been addressing her addiction issues.

It was heard that other drug dealers had began ‘operating’ from her home when she was unable to pay her debts.

She has since been working with Turning Point, an all-purpose drug and alcohol treatment service.

The charity was able to provide her a reference to say she has made ‘significant progress’.

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Cockram has also started a university course in art and design at Oxford Brookes.

“It has taken a long time to get to court,” Mr Granville added. “It has caused the defendant a lot of stress.”

Judge Pringle also ordered Cockram to complete a drug rehabilitation order and mental health treatment.