She couldn't bake a cake?
Posted on 06/09/2021 3:31:58 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Rachel Crothers was found out after bragging about hiding the weapon during a prison
A university student hid a gun in a plant pot filled with cement for a drug dealer she developed "feelings" for.
Rachel Crothers buried the semi-automatic Grand Power 9mm weapon in a container topped with a rhubarb plant in her student accommodation in Cathays.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the 22-year-old's actions came after friend and drug dealer Alfie Larkin fired the gun at the motorhome of an "organised crime gang".
Last week Larkin was handed a 17-year extended sentence for shooting at vehicles on Greenway Road in Cardiff in January 2019.
Over the course of his trial it was heard the dealer, who had moved to Cardiff to study after spending time at a young offenders' institution had done so as a "warning shot" in revenge for being stabbed as part of a turf war.
Larkin was arrested and Crothers, enlisting the help of a friend, went to DIY shops to buy materials to dispose of the weapon. And when she visited him prison, she was caught, via a secret recording, boasting about her actions- referring to the weapon as "Big Becky" and "Gloria".
The plant pot was then taken for X-rayed at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff - leading to the pistol's discovery.
Prosecuting counsel Susan Ferrier told the court how then 20-year-old Cardiff University student Crothers had met Larkin on a night out in Cardiff. The pair became friends and Crothers developed "feelings" for Larkin - which were not reciprocated.
"Crothers would use drugs on occasion and Larkin would provide her and some of her house mates with those drugs", she added.
The court heard how Larkin had been staying with Crothers in a spare room at her student house after he was attacked in November 2018 by a "machete wielding man".
After his arrest after the Rumney shooting in January 2019, Crothers went into the spare room where she found drugs which she flushed down the toilet.
Later, once Larkin was bailed and arrested for second time, Crothers received a visit from his friend demanding access to the spare room. She refused but entered the room when she claimed to have found the gun.
Together with a friend the defendant bought quick-setting cement, compost and a rhubarb plant to conceal the weapon which was later found by police.
Ms Ferrier said: "She was heard to tell Alfie Larkin about how she had hidden the firearm for him in code, a code which was easily cracked."
During the hearing, Christopher Rees, mitigating, described his client as a "sheltered" former head girl who became "prey" for "arch-manipulator" Larkin.
He said: "The defence's submission is that Alfie Larkin manipulated Rachel Crothers. He is, as your honour has identified a pathological liar. She, in my submission of the defendant, was both naive and gullible and she had been and was used by Larkin and that was her downfall.
"He would have identified Miss Crothers, the defence submits, as someone who would be useful to him to further his criminal activities", he added.
As a result of her actions, it was heard Crothers is no longer able to become a teacher as she had hoped, and that proceedings had taken a toll on pre-existing mental health issues.
Addressing Crothers, Judge Michael Fitton QC described how she had been "living in a fantasy world".
He said: "You were playing with fire yet you liked it. In the shared household that you occupied with other female students some of you were buying party drugs, including you. Alfie Larkin was bringing drugs to the house - you should have closed the door and walked away from him."
"You are not the first woman [Larkin] has fooled and thrown away and you will not be the last woman he will fool and throw away", Judge Fitton added.
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During the hearing the judge also shared his doubts over Crothers' account about finding the gun in a "chance discovery", adding: "You knew what you were looking for."
Referring to her prisons visits to Larkin, it was also heard how the defendant was "boasting" and "high with adrenaline, brimming with excitement".
Prior to the hearing, Crothers, of Heol Ty-Gwyn, Llanbradach, pleaded guilty to possession of a firm arm and actions intending to pervert the course of public justice.
In total she was sentenced to 20 months in custody, suspended for 18 months, and required to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work.
Crothers must also remain on curfew for a further four months and undertake a rehabilitation activity requirement for up to 20 days.
She couldn't bake a cake?
And not a picture or her anywhere.
Rachel Crothers buried the semi-automatic Grand Power 9mm weapon in a container topped with a rhubarb plant in her student accommodation in Cathays.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the 22-year-old's actions came after friend and drug dealer Alfie Larkin fired the gun at the motorhome of an "organised crime gang".
Wasn't this a sub-plot in "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels"? Or "Rock n Rolla"? I don't know. They're all the same.
Simply throwing it into a lake wasn't an option?!
Regards,
.....hmmmmm.... ya gotta wonder....I am pretty well-versed in handguns, but don’t recognize that one....anybody have any ideas as to make and model...??
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