Drug dealer's wife is spared jail after living on the profits of crime
A WOMAN on benefits who lived a lavish lifestyle on her husband's drug-dealing profits has been spared jail.
Isabelle Doyle was handed a community sentence at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday after "shutting her eyes" to convicted cannabis dealer Michael Doyle's criminal activity.
The 48-year-old, who used to drive a Land Rover and took a safari holiday in Kenya, claimed she knew nothing of her benefit-claiming husband's £60,000 secret stash in a kitchen cupboard of her ex-council house in Leigham.
But a jury didn't believe her and she was found guilty of converting criminal property into cash at a trial in August.
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Yesterday her counsel, Tom Bradnock, told the court the couple had been married for 26 years.
"This is an offence that arises out of her loyalty to someone who was not worthy or deserving of that loyalty," Mr Bradnock said.
"She was shutting her eyes to the obvious suspicion rather than actual knowledge of what he was up to."
During her trial the court heard details of how she and her husband – who was jailed earlier this year for his part in a major drugs supply ring – had just £20 a week spare after legitimate benefit income of £520 per month covered their bills.
And yet she drove a gas-guzzling Land Rover Freelander and a Vauxhall Astra, and they enjoyed holidays in Greece, Gambia and Kenya, the court heard.
They bought their daughter a diamond ring and helped towards the cost of her £5,000 wedding at a top hotel.
Her ex-council house's kitchen was remodelled and they held seven bank accounts and both had ISA savings accounts.
Despite this she told the court she had no idea she was spending money that came from the sale of drugs.
Mr Bradnock said it would be "better for society" if Doyle was spared jail as she cared for her elderly mother-in-law, had three children, five grandchildren, her own elderly parents to consider and job prospects at a local garage.
Recorder Tait said the jury found her guilty on what he "considered very clear evidence". "The challenge you have is when Michael comes out of prison. You have got to keep him on the straight and narrow or he will drag you down again."
Doyle, of Bigbury Walk, was handed 200 hours of unpaid community work over 12 months as well as an 18 month community order. She was also handed a three month curfew between 8pm and 6am on an electronic tag.
Comments
by mollymop
Saturday, October 20 2012, 11:19AM
“what a good example to her kids and grandkids,(not)”
by CharlieDodd
Monday, October 15 2012, 10:35PM
“..'She was also handed a three month curfew between 8pm and 6am on an electronic tag'..
Ni mind luv, when they untag you in the new year you can treat yourself to a luxury world cruise to cheer yourself up..:)”
by TheEyeOn
Monday, October 15 2012, 8:52PM
“I'm so shocked I can't comment.....................”
by Bwiththeollox
Monday, October 15 2012, 7:15AM
“She will get a Golden postbox next so she can get her magic money from it.”
by philofbudo
Saturday, October 13 2012, 9:26PM
“So Recorder Tait thinks Mrs Doyle has got to keep her husband on the "straight and narrow" when he gets out and not let him drag her down again.
You're a fool Mr Tait. It's blindingly obvious that this pair colluded together in this enterprise. How could she not know or even suspect where all this dosh was coming from? I despair that we can all see through this charade except the man handing down the sentence. Give me strength!”
by belly1234
Saturday, October 13 2012, 8:56PM
“The police gather evidence to prove guilt beyond all reasonable doubt, the defendant comes up with some codswallop and the judge swallows the lot without question. British justice all weighed in favour of the criminal.”
by fazer58
Saturday, October 13 2012, 1:55PM
“Job prospects at a local garage? Has anyone checked this? With a charge of financially related crime hanging over her head.I doubt it very much,maybe she put in an application form pronto on the advice of her Brief.
And why aren't the social prosecuting her for making false claims,or wasn't she aware that benefits don't generally pay for flash cars and endless foreign holidays?
Well done Isabelle, you got away with it,British justice is a farce.”
by circles1
Saturday, October 13 2012, 12:17PM
“she was to stoned to notice”
by Titch89
Saturday, October 13 2012, 11:55AM
“how can you not know that your husband is dealing drugs?”
by patriot1945
Saturday, October 13 2012, 11:24AM
“I wonder who she grassed up to get that big let off ?????”