Hayley Cook, 39, almost landed herself in prison after she sent her criminal beau contraband, including pills, phones and drug soaked sheets, while he was locked up
A mum has said she cannot leave her notorious criminal boyfriend – despite nearly being thrown into prison herself while trying to help him.
Hayley Cook, 39, sent parcels to her partner, Carl Brookes, while he was in prison with several pieces of contraband. Cook packed mobile phones, chargers, tablets and sheets soaked in ‘Spice’ to her criminal boyfriend. Brookes, who has an extensive criminal record, was jailed in 2022 for firearms offences but is due to be released this month.
Cook, from Longbridge, south-west of Birmingham, vowed to stay with her locked up partner even though it increased the risk of her committing a crime herself – the mum was blasted by a judge for her decision to stick by the prisoner.
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Cook, who has two children with him, was effectively told by Judge Sarah Buckingham to leave Brookes for the sake of herself and the kids. The 39-year-old admitted two counts of conveying a prohibited item into prison, according to BirminghamLive.
The mum was spared prison, largely due to the impact her incarceration would have on her two children who have difficulties in education, at Birmingham Crown Court on September 11. Cook was handed a 23 months suspended sentence for two years.
Richard Simons, defending, said: “She is remorseful. Her continuing relationship with Mr Brookes does not detract from that remorse.
“The reality is as she sees it she will never be able to not be in close contact with him because of the fact they have two children together and the children, as you might expect regardles of Mr Brookes’ criminality, see him lovingly as their father. But she also made this observation: ‘Unless he finds someone else and leaves me that would be my only way out’.”
Brookes was stopped by armed police in May 2021 with four other men in a BMW in Kings Norton. Cops then found a loaded handgun, ammunition, knives and a sledgehammer. The gang were jailed in December 2022 with Brookes receiving seven years.
Cook sent him the illegal parcels on April 12 and 14 that year, while he was in custody at HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire. The first package contained a large stereo and speakers which could not be scanned by prison equipment so officers had to physically examine it.
They removed the back and found two iPhones and chargers concealed within the electric board. Cook’s fingerprints were found on the clingfilm wrapping on the mobiles.
Two days later the mum-of-two sent another package to the prison which included clothes, 97 tablets of oxymetholone, which is a steroid, and 55 sheets of paper soaked in a synthetic cannabis known as ‘Spice’. Messages talking about the parcels were found on Cook’s phone.
Prosecutor Matthew Cullen stated she had “willingly involved herself in a context of a domestically violent and threatening relationship”. He added Cook had told social workers she had no concerns about Brookes returning to her home following his expected release on September 25 this year. She also declined “safeguarding”.
Cook previously received a suspended sentence for perverting the course of justice by making a false report of a Range Rover being stolen after Brookes had rammed police with it the previous night.
Simons outlined her children’s various difficulties and said: “The fact she has significantly jeopardised her immediate future with them is a source of distress and anxiety to her.” Judge Buckingham showed little sympathy and explained how illegal items in prisons fuelled disorder and disruption risking the safety of staff and inmates.
She stated jail would “compound” her children’s difficulties and recognised Cook had a high prospect of rehabilitation. Cook was ordered to carry out 20 days of rehabilitation activity, 125 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 in costs.
Judge Buckingham added: “I hope you will reflect and take steps to separate yourself from him, not just for your own benefit but also the sake of your children. Of course children love their parents and see the good in him but you know the other side of him and continue to expose your children to him. No wonder social services will be involved in your life.”