Suspended Sentence in Class A drugs Conspiracy

Charles and Christina’s client was one of nine defendants to be sentenced for their role in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs at a hearing that took place over two days.

The Crown submitted that, as a conspiracy, the court should treat each defendant, regardless of their role, as Category 1 offenders due to the size of the supply, relying on the cases of Khan [2013] EWCA Crim 800 and Wilson & others [2024] EWCA Crim 124. This included defendants who were otherwise street dealing (Category 3) lesser role offenders. It was argued on behalf of this defendant (as well as others) that the correct categorisation, with reference to paragraph 34 of Khan, was Category 3 lesser role. Submissions were then advanced to suspend the sentence of imprisonment owing to delay and other individual factors specific to this defendant.

The Court found this defendant to be Category 2, lesser role with a starting point of five years and a range from three and a half years to seven years. However, the Judge was persuaded to impose a two-year custodial sentence suspended for two years with 300 hours of unpaid work.  

Charles and Christina were instructed by Arabella Snelling of Cohen Cramer Solicitors.