Client Avoids Prison for Importing Class B Drugs

Case study summary

Our client pleaded guilty to importing 243 grams of Class B drugs into the country for personal use. Because of his previous conviction we ensured a strong mitigation was out forward highlighting that he is a changed man. This resulted in a suspended sentence being granted.

Case study

This client came to us for representation after being arrested for importation of class B Drugs into the country, namely 243 grams of cannabis which has a street value of over £7,000. This client had spent time in prison for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs a decade prior. Since then he has turned his life around by gaining employment and starting a family with his loving wife. Our client decided to plead guilty and accept his actions to give him the best chance of avoiding a custodial sentence.

We worked to gather character references to show that our client is a changed man, show the court that his family is very dependent on him both financially and emotionally, and that his personal drug use is a result of his mother passing away. We instructed a barrister to ensure this mitigation was presented to the court and given careful consideration. We also made it known to the court how much our client regrets his actions, especially the traumatic effect his arrest had on his daughter.

Given that our client does have a previous conviction for a drug offence, a prison sentence was a real possibility. However, through strong mitigation, the judge felt that imprisonment would have a detrimental effect on his efforts to build a career for himself and on his family life. He is the sole earner for his family and they rely on him heavily. This resulted in our client being given a 12-month suspended sentence.

This client has expressed that he is very grateful for all our efforts. He has stopped all drug use and is keen to cooperate fully with probation to ensure he can move on from this and rebuild his life.