Toni Casey, 30, was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court after being caught dealing crack cocaine and heroin in Warrington while using a false identity to evade prison recall.
Casey was arrested at an elderly and vulnerable person’s home on Watkin Street, Orford, which she used as a base for dealing Class A drugs. Police found 14 bags of crack cocaine and two bags of heroin worth around £270, along with £216 in cash during the arrest.
At the time of her arrest, Casey gave police the personal details of another woman, which led to a delay in linking her to her criminal record. The false identity was of a real person who had never been approached by police before. Casey maintained this deception throughout her initial custody interview, answering ‘no comment’ to all questions.
The ruse allowed Casey to avoid immediate remand into custody, but a subsequent police system check 27 days later revealed her true identity. She was charged with possession with intent to supply drugs and perverting the course of justice, admitting in a prepared statement that she provided false details to avoid being recalled to prison.
Casey had been out on licence after serving a seven-year sentence for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and had 10 prior convictions, including serious offenses such as wounding with intent and possession of offensive weapons.
Her defense acknowledged the seriousness of the crimes but noted Casey’s desire to change, highlighting her prison coursework in hair, beauty, and nails as steps toward rehabilitation.
Judge Gary Woodhall underscored the gravity of her offenses, stating the impact on the administration of justice, and emphasized that only a custodial sentence was appropriate.
In addition to prison time, orders were made to destroy the seized drugs and to donate the confiscated cash to the court’s charity of the month.
