Beauticians attempted to smuggle drugs worth £6k into Creamfields

Erin Hobdell, of Birkhall Avenue in Glasgow, and Kira McNicol, of Barnweil Avenue in Prestwick, both appeared before Chester Crown Court on Friday afternoon.

Prosecuting, John Oates told the court that on August 25, 2022, a sniffer dog indicated that Hobdell had drugs at the music festival in Daresbury.

Hobdell, who was 18 at the time of the offence, admitted that she was carrying drugs and said she was asked to bring them in.

The court heard that Hobdell had 41 plastic bags, six of which contained cocaine weighing 26.1 grams worth between £2,410 and £4,100.

A further four had 2.43 grams of MDMA powder, containing ketamine, worth between £40 to £200.

Hobdell was also found to have 57 MDMA tablets, and 39 broken MDMA tablets, worth a total of £960.

Mr Oates told the court that McNicol, who was 21 at the time of the offence, told officers at the festival that she was a friend of Hobdell and that she also had drugs on her.

The court heard that the now 23-year-old had 143 tablets of MDMA, and six broken tablets, in packages inside her vagina which were worth a total of £1,460.

'She feels deeply ashamed'

Defending Hobdell, Fiona McNiel told the court that the now 21-year-old was ‘misguided and foolish’ to carry the drugs into the festival but had ‘the presence of mind to realise she made an unwise decision’.

It was heard that Hobdell has a ‘positive character’ and feels ‘deeply ashamed’ about her offending.

“I would urge upon the court an alternative to immediate custody, and she invites the court through me to give her some latitude,” said Ms McNiel.

Defending McNicol, Lisa Judge told the court that the beautician attempted to assist police at the festival.

“Very obvious efforts were made by Miss McNicol at the scene to identify the perpetrator on the coach who convinced her, stupidly, to take the drugs into Creamfields,” said Ms Judge.

“She indicated she would assist police. He was actually pointed out.”

The court heard, however, that the man identified was held at the festival but found to have no drugs on him, just a ‘significant’ amount of cash. No prosecution was brought against him.

During his sentencing remarks, Judge Steve Everett referred to the fact that the defendants had to wait 18 months to be charged for the offence as ‘unacceptable’.

“It does not assist justice at all,” said Judge Everett.

“This is justice delayed and ultimately it is a factor in your favour as you have since made real steps to turn your lives around.”

McNicol and Hobdell were sentenced at Chester Crown Court (Image: Instagram)

'They were no friend of yours'

Judge Everett stressed that taking drugs into a festival is a serious offence and stated that he is aware of three detectives that work full time on Creamfields cases.

“Lives have been completely changed because they didn’t see the seriousness of what they were doing taking drugs or being involved in supplying them,” he said.

“Two people to my knowledge in the last eight years have died taking drugs at Creamfields.

“This is not just taking a tablet to enhance your experience of the music that you dance to, this is something that is doing your body real harm.”

The court heard that Judge Everett accepted that the pair were ‘pressured’ into taking the drugs into the festival.

“You might not have known the full extent of what you were carrying,” he said.

“You were on the same bus, and you were both separately prevailed upon by another person. They were no friend of yours, that’s for sure.

“It’s clear that each of you were pressure into carrying the drugs in. Each of you were intoxicated to an extent.”

'I want you to remember this moment'

It was noted that both defendants had made an ‘impressive’ effort to ‘turn their lives around and are both now working as beauticians.

“I want each of you to remember this moment as each of you are wondering, and your hearts are beating, thinking am I going to send you to Styal Prison,” said Judge Everett.

“I’ll put you out of your misery, you are not going to custody.”

The pair sobbed and hung their heads as they were spared jail.

Hodbell was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and McNicol was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, also suspended for 18 months.

Both women must also complete 200 hours unpaid work.

“If you take this chance, nobody will be happier than me,” said Judge Everett as the pair left the dock.