Two convicted drug dealers have failed in their bids to reduce lengthy prison sentences, as senior judges called for an “urgent” review of sentencing guidelines for drugs cases.
Liam Bradley, 32, was handed nine years and four months for his role in bringing cocaine to the island, while Adrian Larcombe, 59, received 14 years and six months for importing nearly a kilogram of cocaine.
The Staff of Government Division dismissed both appeals, with judges describing Bradley’s sentence as “lenient” and “bordering on unduly so”.
Naive
In the Bradley case, the court found no merit in arguments that the starting point was too high.
The judgment noted: “We consider that submission to be naive. In our view it is not only necessary to consider the bare facts of the convictions. We must also consider their relevance by looking at all the circumstances surrounding the convictions.”
The court also rejected arguments that insufficient weight was given to the defendant’s family rights.
In Larcombe’s case, judges concluded the sentence was “wholly appropriate” and not excessive.
Review
The court has now issued fresh guidance on sentencing in drugs cases, acknowledging confusion at the bar over the correct approach. The guidance does not replace the existing Caldwell-Camp guidelines but provides “clarification of the principles”.
The detesters also urged the Department of Home Affairs to conduct an urgent review of sentencing for drugs matters, noting the guideline is “now over 20 years old” and that “the supply of drugs has become ever more sophisticated”.