Guest, 47, who had pleaded guilty to the charges, will be eligible for a three-month parole period on March 27 next year after serving six months.

Turner, 54, who also pleaded guilty to supplying prohibited drugs, will be free on the same date.

“None of the matters before the court represent cases linked to school children,” the prosecutor stressed to the court.

“I can say that because I made a specific inquiry with police.”

The couple’s next door neighbour Lynnette Ann Farrell, 53, of Common Street, Dungog, who also pleaded guilty to drugs charges, was given two suspended jail sentences of six months.

Farrell had been charged with six counts of supplying a prohibited drug and one count of dealing with the proceeds of crime after police found more than $2700 in cash in her bedroom.

But the court was told that both Turner and Guest denied any suggestions they had been working with Farrell.

Turner and Guest had sold drugs over several months, mostly to repeat buyers in small amounts.

Solicitor Julia Clarke said Guest had given her clear instructions that she was the one who was the primary offender in the matter, not Turner.

Guest suffered significant health issues: she was an alcoholic who was also battling depression, together with pancreatitus and cellulitis.

She had sold a relatively small quantity of drugs over four months.

Ms Clarke said Turner had been highly involved in the community – a Dungog Bowling Club board member, a member of the Lions club and of the Heart Foundation.

“He feels a very substantial level of ostracism; a man very highly regarded who is now scorned,” she said.

Sentencing Guest and Turner, the magistrate Sharron Crews told him: “Your fall from grace has been enormous.”

Ms Crews said there had been no suggestion that school children had been supplied with drugs.

Maitland Mercury