Emily Jane Gray hits back at critics of her drug-dealing boyfriend Benjamin Thomas Cairns
A woman who tried to hide her meth-dealing boyfriend from police has lashed back at critics, saying she’ll be back with him “as soon as he’s home”. Read the comments.
Mount Gambier
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The girlfriend of a drug-dealer who was caught with over $30,000 worth of illicit substances has lashed critics as photos from his drug bust emerged.
Emily Jane Gray, 22, hit back at online critics who judged her for hiding her drug-dealing partner, Benjamin Thomas Cairns, 28, in her garage.
Though the Mount Gambier Magistrate Court heard Gray had realised her relationship with Cairns was “not the most positive influence” on Tuesday — Gray continues to stand by her man.
Gray fiercely defended her relationship with Cairns.
“Most people don’t understand or have never experience what it’s like to have a love one with a drug addiction, people will always judge me for being with Ben,” she wrote.
Gray also took to Instagram on April 10, 2023 in memory of Cairn’s 2022 arrest.
“365 days since you were taken away,” the caption read.
“403 days since you made the most irrational decision, but also made you the person you are today.
“475 days since your best friend died.
“600 days since you become my forever.
“You can never experience pain like this until someone is taken from you.
“Just because you make bad choices, doesn’t make you a person. You never know what demons people are fighting.
“I wish people seen you through my eyes and then they would understand why I stuck by your side.”
Following a police raid in May 2021, Cairns was caught with 95.51g of methamphetamine, 252g of fantasy and 53 Suboxone strips at Mount Gambier.
The court heard the methamphetamine was valued between $26,191 and $30,390 and the fantasy was worth between $504 and $1764.
Cairns was granted home detention bail for the offending in August 2021.
On Monday the Adelaide District Court heard Cairns was under the influence of meth when he cut off his home detention bracelet in May, 2022 and went on the run.
The prosecutor said it was likely Victorian police would extradite Cairns to Victoria once he served his sentence in South Australia.
While on the run Cairns absconded to Victoria, where he allegedly committed further offences, including dangerous driving and drug charges.
He is yet to enter a plea to those charges.
Cairns was described as a street-level dealer, partially motivated by profit – due to the significant quantities of drugs and substantial amounts of cash found, the court heard.
He has pleaded guilty to three counts of drug trafficking.
South Australian police continued to conduct a heavy manhunt for Cairns in 2022.
On Tuesday, the Mount Gambier Magistrate Court heard Gray had been “adamant” her partner was not at her home, preventing them from searching the property on April 11, 2022.
Police returned with a search warrant later that day and discovered Cairns hiding in her garage, the court heard.
Gray has pleaded guilty to several charges including driving while disqualified, breaching bail, hindering police and entering a licensed premises she was banned from.
Gray’s sentencing was delayed after the court found two separate dates over one of Gray’s charges.
She will next front court in June.
Cairns planned to stay at a live-in rehabilitation centre once released to get on top of his drug addiction.
Judge Rauf Soulio will sentence Cairns next month.
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