THE fiancee of one of the Shoreham Airshow disaster victims has been spared jail after a judge heard of her struggle since his death.

Giovanna Chirico, who was engaged to Mark Trussler, admitted possession with intent to supply amphetamines, also known as speed, on the basis she was “minding” them.

The court previously heard how she had struggled to cope since the 54-year-old’s death on August 22, 2015.

Yesterday Judge Paul Tain, sitting at Brighton Crown Court, handed her a suspended prison sentence and said: “The prosecution fully understands your personal circumstance.

“I think the majority of people would sympathise. But I’m afraid it is a criminal offence and has to be sentenced.”

Police raided her Worthing home on September 22 and discovered a bag of drugs with a street value of £3,165 on top of a freezer.

The 34-year-old said the drugs did not belong to her and she was not dealing. She said she found the bag after letting a neighbour store items in her garage. She did not know what to do with the drugs or how long they had been there but did not tell police.

Jeffrey Lamb, prosecuting, said: “The officers explained why they were at her address and then Ms Chirico said ‘There are amphetamines in a bag on top of the silver freezer’.”

A second bag of amphetamines were found in a second freezer.

Mr Lamb said: “In interview, she stated that a neighbour had asked to use her garage to store some items, such as a motorbike.

“She said that once this neighbour decided to use the garage, she went in to see what state it was in.”

Chirico told officers she experienced a smell that made her sick before coming across bags of the drugs and at the time even thought they may have belonged to Mr Trussler, Mr Lamb added.

Sophie Evans, defending, said she did not receive any financial gain from the drugs.

She said unemployed Chirico showed “remorse” for the crime and had just been trying to look after the children.

The pair had three daughters and she has a son from a previous relationship.

Ms Evans said: “She is a lady that was in some difficult circumstances.”

Judge Tain said he now understood why she regarded herself as guilty,

Handing her a 26-week sentence suspended for 18 months he said: “Let’s bring this to an end straight away. You are not going to go to prison, simple as that.”

She also has to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, pay £240 in court costs.