Jersey Unreported Judgments

Inferior Number Sentencing - drugs - possession - Class B.

[2017]JRC059

Royal Court

(Samedi)

7 April 2017

Before     :

Paul Nicolle, Lieutenant Bailiff, assisted by Jurats Grime and Christensen.

The Attorney General

-v-

Michael Lee Steer

Sentencing by the Inferior Number of the Royal Court, following a guilty plea to the following charge:

1 count of:

Possession of a controlled drug, contrary to Article 8(1) of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 (Count 4).

Age:  44.

Plea: Guilty.

Details of Offence:

On Sunday 26^th June, 2016, Police attended at the defendant's then home address.  At the time the defendant lived there with his now ex-wife, who had that day made a complaint of against him. 

The defendant was arrested in relation to that complaint and during a search of his home, three small lumps of cannabis resin were seized from a drawer in the lounge.  The total weight of cannabis seized was 3.01 grams, with a street value of approximately £60.00.  Two glass bongs were also seized from a kitchen side unit. 

During subsequent interview at Police Headquarters the defendant gave "no comment" in relation to questions about the seized cannabis.  However, during a medical examination he told the Police Doctor that he had used cannabis the previous night. 

The Crown noted that, but for the substantive allegations, the matter of the cannabis would have fallen to be dealt with by the Magistrate's Court. 

Details of Mitigation:

Guilty plea. 

Previous Convictions:

No previous drug-related convictions. 

Conclusions:

Given the amount of time the Defendant had spent on remand (88 days on custodial remand, equivalent of a prison sentence of 4 months and 10 days), the Crown sought a fine of £100.00 and the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis and bongs. 

Count 4:

2 weeks' imprisonment.  (Due to time already spent on remand, sentence already served).

Forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and paraphernalia sought.

Sentence and Observations of Court:

Count 4:

£100 fine, with seven days in which to pay (no default as time served).

Forfeiture and destruction of drugs and paraphernalia ordered. 

C. M. M. Yates, Esq., Crown Advocate.

Advocate M. P. Boothman for the Defendant.

JUDGMENT

THE Lieutenant BAILIFF:

1.        You are here to be sentenced on one count on the Indictment of the possession of cannabis to which you have pleaded guilty and we impose a fine of £100 and we will allow you 7 days in which to pay that.

2.        We also order the forfeiture and the destruction of the drugs and paraphernalia concerned. 

No Authorities