A YOUNG woman from Grays, not long released from prison after serving a sentence for manslaughter and theft, is back behind bars for her role in the running of a drugs supply chain with her mother.

Keani Hobbs, 23, of Argent Street, was jailed alongside her mother, Melanie Hobbs, 42, after police busted their drugs operation – run from the mum of seven's Pitsea home - in September last year.

A police raid on the home on Melanie Hobbs in Eastbrooks Place, discovered drugs and cash and though neither were at the premises at the time they were implicated by the police investigation and admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Keani Hobbs had been convicted of the manslaughter of Vilson Meshi at the age of 19 in February 2016. Together with another teen she threw a marine distress flare was thrown into his car. Mr Mesi died from inhaling fumes.

Hobbs was initially jailed for nine years, which included a concurrent sentence for theft, but on appeal the sentence in May 2018 the term was cut to five years and on release she became in the drugs supply operation. In February this year she gave birth to a daughter.

Mother and daughter Melanie and Keanie appeared for sentence at Basildon Crown Court yesterday (Friday, 4 March) to be sentenced. Judge Shane Collery jailed Melanie Hobbs for 49 months and Keani Hobbs for 43 months.