Growing cannabis was a family affair for father, uncle and son

Saturday 28 October 2017

A father, his brother and his son who were involved in the growing of cannabis worth up to £31,500 in a Grouville field have been sentenced by the Royal Court to 27 months in prison, 150 hours and 180 hours of community service respectively.

The plants were discovered by the police after Andrew Ernest Louis (pictured) and his son, Jobe Ashley Le Jehan, were seen walking to fields in the area of Queen's Valley reservoir in the evening of the 27 September 2016.

The police found 15 cannabis plants, worth an estimated £8,400 to £31,500, in a clearing located among a densely wooded area. Around the area, they found numerous gardening items, including plant food, fertiliser, plant pots, water bottles and gloves. To identify who was attending the site, the police installed covert equipment which was activated by Andrew Louis on 1 October as he walked through the wooded area leading to the cultivation site. 

Andrew Louis was arrested on 5 October and upon searching his house, police founded cannabis seeds and a small quantity of herbal cannabis. He completely denied any knowledge or involvement in the cultivation site. He explained the only time he had been in the area was when taking a walk from town to Gorey to "clear his head." When shown the video of him from the covert camera, he said he must have been on one of his walks. Data from his phone, enabled the police to identify a fourth individual who left the island and has not been traced. 

Le Jehan was arrested in February this year after the police, who suspected him of being involved in drug offences, searched his house and found a small cultivation system, which was no longer In use. During his interview, Le Jehan admitted he had attended the growing site with his father after they had had a drink. He stated he had no prior knowledge of the site or that his father was cultivating cannabis. He said he had assisted his dad putting a few buds in a bag. Police found photos of Le Jehan showing his attempt to cultivate two cannabis plants at home as well as messages suggesting he was aware of his father's activities. 

He later admitted he had grown the plants between January to May 2016 and that they had produced 10 to 15 grams which he had kept to either smoke or bake into cookies. He also admitted finding a purchaser for 20 grams of herbal cannabis from his father and buying one gram for himself.

Paul Louis admitted visiting the site on three occasions and that his job had been to water the plants. 

Speaking for Andrew Louis, Advocate Adam Harrison urged the court to consider a probation and community service order. He explained that Andrew Louis's wife was six months pregnant and that he wanted to be able to provide for her and their child. He acknowledged that Louis had been convicted for similar offences of growing cannabis noting that nine years separated the two offences. He told the court that Louis had experienced "a difficult upbringing in a problematic family," adding that he had been placed in several institutions from a young age and that he had been introduced to cannabis whilst in care at the age of 13. Advocate Harrison also said that Louis wanted to put his past behind him and give up cannabis for the sake of his partner and child. 

Advocate James Bell, who was defending Paul Louis told the court that he hadn't received a reward for watering the plants and that his involvement was "on the fringes of the enterprise." He added that Louis was remorseful and had shown a genuine sense of regret. He however noted that since the incident, he had taken the opportunity to prove himself and had kept out of trouble. Advocate Bell told the court that Louis had no previous convictions related to drugs offences adding that over the past 11 months he had reduced his alcohol consumption.

Advocate Hiren Mistry who was defending Jobe Le Jehan was the last one to address the court snd simply said that he was extremely remorseful. He noted that Le Jehan was the primary carer for his one-year-old son while his mum is at work. 

Returning his sentence, Royal Court Commissioner Sir Michael Birt told Andrew Louis that although Advocate Harrison had emphasised his wish to be there to support his partner, he couldn't agree it justified a non-custodial sentence. He therefore sentenced him to two years and three months in prison.

Speaking to Paul Louis, the Commissioner noted the limited nature of his involvement adding that he had however been on the site three times "knowing what was there." He however said that Louis's determination to gain employment and be productive was positive and sentenced him to 150 hours community service and put him on probation for 12 months.

As for Jobe Le Jehan, the Commissioner said: "If it weren't for your youth you would be receiving a custodial sentence. Your youth has saved you." He then sentenced him to 180 hours community service and put him on probation for 18 months.