Suspended sentence secured after defendant originally faced six kilo conspiracy to supply class A

Tom Edwards (instructed by Peter Finbow and Ditesh Patel of Bark & Co) secured a suspended sentence for a man originally charged with a seven-handed, six-kilo conspiracy to supply cocaine across the West Country. The case had been listed for trial, at which point the Crown maintained that Tom’s client was involved as a linchpin in the supply from one co-defendant to another.

Shortly before the trial, Tom was approached by the Crown who maintained that they sought a plea involving the supply of cocaine. Following lengthy negotiations, the Crown accepted pleas to money laundering charges instead of the class A offence. He had previously pleaded guilty at an early stage to possession with intent to supply class B and C drugs.

At sentence the Crown maintained that Tom’s client played a leading role, citing five of the criteria from the sentencing guidelines to place him in a leading role. Tom argued against each and every one. Following lengthy and detailed submissions and mitigation, the judge accepted that Tom’s client played only a significant role and an improbable suspended sentence followed.

Coverage
Bristol Post