Embarrassed and ashamed, the mum who was victim of her own son’s behaviour

A mum who fell victim to her son’s drug dealing was hauled before a court after police found thousands of pounds worth of cannabis stashed at her home.

Erica Anderson, 50, was at home in Harpurhey when police executed a search warrant in 2021. At the same time, police raided her son’s home. The total value of the drugs found at both properties was estimated between £8,277 and £11,365, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Darius Anderson, 28, a ‘low-level’ drug dealer, had stashed some of the drugs, scales and cash at his mum’s house as part of the business. Sentencing them, the Recorder of Manchester Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: “She is a victim of her son’s behaviour, at the end of the day.”

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Darius Anderson was jailed for 30 months, for possession with intent to supply class B drugs, and after having previously breached a suspended sentence order. Erica Anderson, who was said to be ‘mortified’, was handed a community order.

Prosecuting, Andrew MacKintosh said that officers searched the home of Erica Anderson on Ashley Street, and found 151.7 grams of cannabis worth £1,500, with 553 grams of the drug in the kitchen, as well as snap bags, scales and cash. At Darius’ address officers found 143g of cannabis behind a wardrobe as well as a quantity of cash, the prosecutor said.

“The total value of the drugs found was between £8,277 and £11,365. They were arrested on the day of the searches, Mr Anderson gave no comment in his police interview.

“Ms Anderson gave a prepared statement and said that she knew nothing about the drugs found.”

Then in May this year, police went back to Ashley Lane after Darius had moved back home and executed a