Pub keeper filmed singing about drugs while basement is being used as a spice factory for inmates

Lorraine Jackson, 51, allowed her pub in Preston, Lancashire, to be used as a factory sending spices to prisoners after she was filmed dancing on a beer keg and singing about double-dipping drugs

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Preston: Pub landlady Lorraine Jackson sings on a barrel

A landlady who allowed her pub to be used as a base for an illegal operation to deliver spices to prison was spared jail.

Lorraine Jackson had her daughter and her prison friend use her property as a drug factory for inmates, LancsLive Report.

She denied any knowledge of the conspiracy when questioned by police but eventually pleaded guilty to converting the premises of the Gamull pub in Preston, Lancashire.

The operation was led by prisoner Asaiah Facey and saw his girlfriend Shannon send Jackson letters dipped in the liquid form of the drug to be sent to prison.

A fake attorney’s stamp was used to deceive prison staff into believing that the letters contained legal correspondence and therefore could not be opened.

It’s unclear how much money was made through the scheme, but Preston Crown Court heard a single sheet of paper could sell for £900, with multiple sheets sent in each letter.

Around 35 letters have been linked to the Facey and Shannon Jackson conspiracy along with payments of £1,300 from a prisoner.

Evidence was found on one of the confiscated phones showing the 51-year-old woman performing a bizarre song and dance routine about drugs.

Referring to “Double Dip, Triple Dip” — in reference to the methods used to make the sheets stronger and more expensive — she occasionally drifts into a version of Afroman’s 2000 hit “Because I Got High.”

This video was played during her court hearing. Her song, which appears to mock the prisoners who bought the drugs from Facey, was accompanied by an equally merry dance as Lorraine Jackson stands on a barrel and kicks her feet in the air.

The video was played in court when the woman was given a suspended sentence earlier this month.

In comments on LancsLive’s Facebook page, Lorraine Jackson, who pleaded guilty, said: “I didn’t allow all this, it’s a lot of rubbish”.

Jackson admitted the offense in court and was convicted accordingly, with her sentence reduced to that guilty plea. She will also have the 23-week sentence hanging over her head for next year and have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Paul Brookwell, prosecutor, told the court: “There was an operation where drugs, namely spices, were laced in liquid form in papers. In some cases they have been dipped one, two or three times, increasing their strength and value.”

The letters were sent to HMP Northumberland with a Rule 39 stamp and the name ABV Solicitors, meaning prison staff were not allowed to see the contents.

However, they became suspicious and realized the name was fake, prompting them to inform the police and expose the conspiracy.

Letters had been sent from post offices in the Preston area, including one a few doors down from the Longridge Road pub, and most deliveries had been paid for with Shannon Jackson’s bank card.

The prepaid letters had also been purchased using Shannon Jackson’s card and the delivery note was made out in Lorraine Jackson’s bedroom. A search of the property uncovered other items related to the operation, which will not be destroyed.

According to Mr Brookwell, police were unable to ascertain the extent of the operation to determine how much money had been made, but 11 letters were intercepted, most of which contained several sheets of paper tied with shoelaces.

News and bank payments pointed to another 19, and a handwritten note pointed to another five. Four bank payments from a prisoner were linked to the sale of spices and totaled more than £1,300.

David Traynor defended, saying Lorraine Jackson, 51, had no financial benefit other than by borrowing money from her daughter.

He contested the judge’s suggestion that the penalties should be higher based on the use of business premises as they did not take place in public areas or used the pub as a frontage.

“It’s very different than a barmaid who deals drugs who pretends to be selling drinks but is actually selling drugs,” he said.

At the sentencing, Judge Heather Lloyd criticized Lorraine Jackson’s responses to the author of a pre-sentencing report, saying it showed denial and a lack of remorse for what she did.

She added: “You are the manager of the Gamull Public House where you live with your daughters and grandchild.

“One of your references says you made the inn important to the community and don’t put up with a mess from young people. However, I don’t think the community would be pleased to hear that you allow the premises to be used to sell drugs, spices are a scourge in the community. I also doubt that the brewery would be happy about that.”

Judge Lloyd said it was clear she knew about the operation by singing about it, texting Facey’s phone, which he wasn’t allowed in jail, and by the presence of the letters and stamps in the house.

Facey, 31, was previously sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the operation and Shannon Jackson has already served the 18-month prison sentence for her role.