Tyler Ford asks judge to serve home detention with a former customer turned new girlfriend

A “privileged” drug dealer has left a judge unimpressed after he asked to serve his sentence on home detention with his new girlfriend – with one key problem.

A “privileged” drug dealer has left a judge unimpressed after he asked to serve his sentence on home detention with a previous customer.

Tyler Michael Ford, 27, was due to be sentenced in the District Court on Tuesday, however a judge found the new information “substantially” changed her considerations.

A prosecutor told the court the home detention suitability report showed the occupant was Ford’s new partner, who was revealed by messages to have bought drugs from him in the past.

“It is my submission that the messages suggest that (the partner) was a previous customer of Mr Ford,” the prosecutor said.

The court heard there were messages between them where Ford’s partner bought a ball of cocaine from him for $1250 – she has not been accused or charged with wrongdoing.

Tyler Ford leaving court after sentencing submissions. Picture: NewsWire / Tim Joy

Jessica Eichner avoided jail for her role. Photo: Facebook

Noah Redmond, for Ford, accepted the messages were from his client’s partner but said she was not currently a user of drugs.

“This is a stable relationship that offers him support,” he said.

“That puts a very different complexion on things,” Judge Emily Telfer replied.

Ford was charged alongside his former partner Jessica May Eichner, 34 – a former North Adelaide Rooster.

Eichner played in the Roosters’ 2019 Grand Final loss to South Adelaide.

The court heard 22g of cocaine, valued at up to $8800, was found under a sink in the couple’s home in October 2022.

The pair pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges.

Judge Telfer previously heard Ford had been dealing in various quantities of the drug, including in “single grams and eight balls”.

“He was working at the time,” Judge Telfer said.

“He’s not an impoverished person whose life is in disarray and he’s turned to drugs, and the drug selling is supporting his drug use, because he’s got a job. He’s got a fully functional life, he’s just dealing a bit of cocaine on the side.

“He’s living a privileged life.”

During Eichner’s sentencing submissions, the court heard she was assisting Ford with his drug enterprise because of alleged coercive control and “misguided desire” to secure his approval.

The court heard Eichner was not motivated by profit but received free cocaine from Ford, who she was no longer in a relationship with, in return for her role in the offending.

Eichner was sentenced last month to five months and 22 days imprisonment which was suspended upon entering into an 18-month good behaviour bond.

On Tuesday, Judge Telfer ordered a new home detention report to Ford’s parents address and adjourned sentencing until later this month.

“I consider the information I’ve been provided with substantially changes the considerations,” she said.