Three 'gangsters' molls' allowed bank accounts to be used in £50k drugs money transfer

Shereen Bailey, aged 31, Renice White, 22, and council worker Simone Richards, 25, had the money paid into their accounts from cash gained from a drug business running between the Black Country and Aberdeen.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that transactions took place between 2011 and 2013.

It was linked to a drug ring being enforced by two Black Country dealers Dadlin Sutton of Queen Street, Bilston and Jahral Jacobs of Hilton Street, West Bromwich.

Both men were sentenced to 13 years in June for the conspiracy to import and supply cocaine however Jacobs fled before he could be sentenced.

Ms Raj Punia, prosecuting, said: "The prosecution's evidence was that Mr Sutton was stopped by police in Aberdeen and they found more than £2,000 in cash. They found that he was working with a number of drug dealers in Aberdeen.

"This led police to the bank accounts of these women which were being used by Mr Sutton. Money was paid in and then taken out in the West Midlands."

Ms Punia said that £19,000 went through the account of Richards; £19,000 of transactions in Bailey's account and £11,000 in White's account.

When arrested Richards of Fentham Road, Aston, and White of Whitehouse Avenue, Darlaston, refused to give a statement about the cash.

Bailey, of Richard Williams Road, Wednesbury, also failed to give an explanation.

But after being charged, all three eventually pleaded guilty to money laundering.

Mr Sunit Sandhu, who defended White, said she had matured since the offence and had full time responsibility of a three year-old child.

Bailey was described by Mr William Dudley, defending, as having a strong family around her.

While Mr Bernard Porter, defending Richards, said: "At the time this offence began in 2011 she was 22 and living with her dad.

"She is in employment and works for Birmingham City Council in their housing department and has done so for the last six months."

Judge Martin Walsh spared the women jail.

Judge Walsh said: "To use the colloquialism you were in modern terms gangsters' molls. You facilitated the conspiracy by allowing you bank accounts to be used to launder money."

Bailey was given a 15 month sentence suspended for two years and must be supervised for that period. She was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

White received a 42 week sentence suspended for two years and told to do 160 hours of unpaid work.

Richards was handed a 36 week sentence and that too was suspended for two years. She must carry-out 160 hours of unpaid work.