Teen to serve community for cannabis web order

Tuesday 12 May 2020

A teenager, who ordered 240g of cannabis with a street value of nearly £5,000 on the internet, and headbutted a Customs officer, has been sentenced to community service and probation.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before the Youth Court by video link last week after pleading ‘guilty’ to assault and two counts of importing a Class B drug.

Appearing for the prosecution, Legal Adviser Advocate Lauren Hallam explained that there had been two importations over the internet – the first for 86.3g and the second for 154g of cannabis – which were traced back to Master X* by the Customs and Immigration Service last year. 

The total 240.3g of cannabis reportedly has a street value of £4,800 in Jersey. 

The Court was told that when Customs Officers arrested the young man, he attempted to headbutt one of them and was abusive and non-cooperative.

Representing Master X, Advocate Sarah Dale said that her client “maintains that the drugs were ordered from the internet for his personal use” and there was no intention to “supply them”.

Pictured: The drugs were ordered online.

She said that the young man “apologises for his behaviour” and that he “also accepts responsibility for what he has done.”

This, the defence lawyer remarked, signified “a step forward” for the teen and supports his sense that he has “an increased sense of maturity”. Advocate Dale also told the Court that since this incident, Master X “has managed to stop using cannabis”.

“He’s done that of his own volition,” Advocate Dale emphasised. The Advocate asked that her client receive a community-based sentence, as well as asking that he can engage with the Probation Service which she said he was “keen” to do.

She told the Court that Master X “hopes that this is the beginning of a change in his life”.

Magistrate Bridget Shaw sat as Chair of the Youth Court, accompanied by panel members Martin Delap and Jean Cross.

Having retired to consider the case, Magistrate Shaw handed down the panel’s decision.

Describing the amount of drugs in this case as “considerable” given their value based on the island market, the Youth Court Chair also remarked that the charges were “serious".

She emphasised the importance of Master X engaging with the Probation Service and took his willingness to do so as a “very good sign”. 

Ultimately the Court sentenced the teenager to 120 hours of community service and a 12-month probation order.

*The defendant’s name has been protected due to his age.