A COUPLE that boasted designer clothes and jewellery sold cocaine across Southampton, a court heard.

Amy Willard, 28, and Amran Ahmed, 31, were hauled in front of the courts for their role in a business that saw thousands of pounds worth of drugs supplied across the city.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Ahmed of Winchester Road, Southampton, had a leading role in the enterprise which allowed him to buy Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton products.

Prosecution barrister, Andrew Houston told the court that Willard, his partner, worked as a runner, delivering drugs to customers in the area.

However, the pair was pulled over in a white Ford Focus on Winchester Road by police.  

Miss Willard, of Shakespeare Drive, Totton, stood next to the car as police searched it and found a bag of cocaine with an estimated value of more than £5,000.

Mr Houston said that a number of receipts were also found for high-value items.

After searching Willard’s parents’ home, officers found a notebook which recorded amounts of money that were said to be “savings”.

More designer products were found by police when they searched another address.

Both defendants were interviewed but gave no comment. 

Defending Willard, Richard Tutt read out a statement in which she claimed she was acting as a “runner”.

He went on to say she “plainly has a great deal of love and affection for her co-defendant” and that she did what she did to help him.

Meanwhile, Ahmed’s defence barrister, Christopher Gaiger said he had struggled with his mental health and had been taking cocaine himself.

He said: “I appreciate the seriousness of these offences and Mr Ahmed does.”

The defendants were charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, transferring criminal property and possessing criminal property. They pleaded guilty to the offences dating from 2020. 

Ahmed was also charged for harassing a former partner which he admitted. 

Judge Brian Forster QC said Ahmed was a “driving force” in the business which he described as “a busy one”.

He said: “The supply of Class A drugs is a very serious offence. One that often leads to misery.”

Judge Forster said that Willard had allowed herself to be used by her partner having previously been someone of good character.

He jailed Ahmed for a total of five years.

Meanwhile, Willard, a university worker, was jailed for two years, however, the sentence was suspended for two years.

She was also ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work.

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