Client receives suspended prison sentence in cannabis importation case

Our client was charged with importing 15kg of cannabis into the UK from Thailand, via Heathrow Airport.

We took over his representation just before his Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing, at which he pleaded guilty. We were able to persuade the Judge to grant our client bail while he waited to be sentenced.

Our client faced an uphill battle at the sentencing hearing, but ultimately the Judge was persuaded to impose a suspended sentence, considering his personal circumstances, community ties and the fact that he had spent approximately a month in custody before being granted bail.

Our client received a sentence of imprisonment of 19 months, suspended for a period of two years. The court also imposed 25 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.

When our client was stopped at Heathrow airport, £780 had been seized along with the cannabis. The Judge accepted that this was unconnected with our client’s offending, and it was returned to him.

The case was prepared by David Sonn and Sophie Drake. Jeffrey Israel of 25 Bedford Row represented our client at his PTPH, bail application and sentence.