A MOTHER and son from Lake who admitted commercial scale drug dealing have been sentenced ­— with the latter handed a prison term.

Joanne and Ben Haxell, of Green Road, appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday.

On May 11, Joanne Haxell, 48, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and converting criminal property.

Her 21-year-old son admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and converting criminal property, as well as being concerned in the supply of ecstasy, heroin, LSD and ketamine. He also admitted possession of an electrical weapon ­— namely a Taser.

The charges all relate to dates between January 2, 2019, and February 29, 2020.

Prosecutor, Michael Mason, told the court three packages of heroin were seized by border force officers, imported by Ben Haxell.

He said they were all addressed to Lake Green Road, and when the property was searched, both Haxells were found inside.

Mr Mason said a package of cannabis was dropped from a window as police attempted to gain entry.

The court heard both Class A and Class B drugs were found inside the dwelling, as well as a Taser and £160 cash. A mobile phone was also seized and analysed.

A drugs report revealed 49g of heroin, to the value of £1,970, was found. Mr Mason said the heroin was not of an especially high purity.

He said 202 tablets of MDMA, to the value of £600, 18.7g of ketamine worth £300, 5.13g of cocaine valued at £300, and 194g of cannabis worth around £1,200 were all seized.

The court heard the mobile phone was examined, and evidence of drug dealing was found.

A financial investigation revealed a regular pattern of money being paid into Joanne Haxell's bank account, then moved into her son's account.

Mr Mason said more than £9,000 was paid in at the post office, and more than £8,000 was spent by Ben Haxell on Bitcoin.

He said, in police interview, Ben Haxell gave no comment answers, while his mother said she was aware her son sold cannabis but was not aware of Class A drugs being sold.

She told police she didn't help her son deal drugs and wasn't involved in the importation.

She confessed she helped him with the supply of cannabis if he was out, and told police she believed all the transactions into her account came from cannabis sales.

Jon Underhill, defending Ben Haxell, conceded custody was inevitable.

He said it was a case of a comparatively young man, relatively immature, who started off with a habit of his own, which rapidly turned into something he lost control of.

Mr Underhill said, when police came knocking, Haxell had been expecting it for some time.

Gemma White, for Joanne Haxell, said there was a clear and stark distinction between the two defendants.

She said it was an unenviable position for the mother to find herself mitigating in a way which placed further blame at the door of her son.

Ms White said she demonstrated a level of naivety, as far as her involvement was concerned, and effectively put her head in the sand.

The court heard her job at the Post Office had become untenable.

Joanne Haxell was given a two-year community order, to include 30 rehabilitation days, and a £90 surcharge.

Ben Haxell was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment, and a £181 surcharge.