A ‘social media influencer’, who has more than 11,000 followers on TikTok, was caught with pots and snap bags full of cannabis while out driving in her Mercedes-Benz.

Shantelle Maughan, who was described by her barrister as “articulate and entrepreneurial, and somewhat an influencer in some circles due to her sexuality and background”, was caught by police with the stash of drugs in Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, in January 2021.

Burnley Crown Court heard that officers stopped her vehicle at around 11.30am on January 3 and, after noticing a strong smell of cannabis, conducted a search.

Two mobile phones, an iPhone and a Nokia, were removed from the car, with the police also finding individual pots and snap bags of cannabis in the centre console and £350 in cash from Maughan’s pocket.

When arrested and taken to the police station, Maughan gave her address as Padgate Place, Burnley.

Despite the address being linked to members of Maughan’s family, officers found Maughan had not being staying there, and a subsequent check of the recovered iPhone revealed the 34-year-old to be connected to an address in St Leonard’s Street in Padiham.

On arrival, police noticed the property was “very warm”, and upon searching the rooms, found a cannabis farm, with associated growing equipment, which included 20 plants, lights, a filtration system and transformers.

An electricity meter in the cellar had also been bypassed and multiple large vacuum bags of cannabis were found, alongside scales and individual bags of the class B drug.

Maughan’s fingerprints were found on items within the house, with officers recovering a bag filled with pre-made joints.

Letters and bank cards in her name were also located from inside the property.

Following a seizure of the drugs and associated paraphernalia, police estimated the overall total of the recovered cannabis to be worth £42,990.

Messages from the phones taken from Maughan on January 3 also showed that she was involved with the sale of cannabis between 2020 and January 2021.

Judge Daniel Prowse said: “We have to be clear, she is not to be sentenced for the production of cannabis or abstraction of electricity but for supply, and it’s clear there was cannabis bagged up here for onward supply.”

Defending Maughan, now of Canal Street, Accrington, James Heyworth said: “She’s articulate and entrepreneurial, and it’s a shame that she finds herself in this position.

“She has broken away from her family and she is somewhat an influencer due to her sexuality and has followers who are interested in her background.

“She wants to continue to be seen as someone who is a bit of a beacon for those who don’t fit in with the normal expectations of the traveller community.

“She wants to open a boutique and sell her own items.

“She’s someone who’s had to make her own way in life and is someone who doesn’t want to and won’t come back to court again.

“Given we are three years down the line from the seizure of the items, she has not offended during that time, except for a driving offence which pre-dates this.

“She is someone who the court could conclude has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

Judge Prowse continued: “It’s apparent to me you have had a difficult time in the past because of your sexuality and your background, and you have been a positive influence, helping others from similar backgrounds to you cope with issues like that.

“It’s a great shame to me that someone like you chose to become involved with some serious offending. It seems to me, out of character.

“There’s been a delay in this case but none of that is down to you, and you have kept out of trouble in that time.”

Maughan, who has three convictions for five offences, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis, and was handed 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

She must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity days and take part in a 90-day alcohol monitoring programme.