PWITS Class A: immediate imprisonment avoided in favour of suspended sentence

We recently represented a client facing multiple serious charges, including possession with intent to supply Class A, concern in the supply of class A, concern in the supply of Class B drugs, and possession of criminal property. At the Crown Court, our client entered guilty pleas to all but the most the charge (possession with intent to supply Class A), which was then left to lie on the file.

Despite the prosecution’s refusal to accept a lesser role basis, we successfully demonstrated that our client’s involvement included elements of both significant and lesser roles. We analysed the available telephone material and established that he was acting under direction. We also analysed voluminous bank statements to assess whether money was being passed back to a party higher in the chain. Through robust mitigation—including a heartfelt letter of remorse and strong character references—we secured a highly favourable result: a two-year custodial sentence suspended for two years, with rehabilitation and unpaid work requirements.

This is particularly favourable outcome as the client could have faced immediate custody; for offences like this there is a starting point of 4 years 6 months for significant role. He was a young man of good character, so a prison sentence could have been especially impactful on the lives of himself and his family.

Our client and his family were delighted with the outcome, expressing their gratitude:
‘We’re so grateful for the work you and the team did to get to this point… we shall be raising a glass in your honour’.

Phoebe Coleman was the solicitor of conduct of this case alongside instructed counsel Alexandra Monaghan of Crucible chambers. She provided exceptional guidance and assistance throughout the case.