A young man who was sent to prison for five years and three months for his part in importing ketamine into Guernsey has lost his appeal against the length of his sentence.
Rory Settle Johnson was 24 when he was sentenced earlier this year alongside three other people for their parts in the importation.
He had been given sentences of three years and three months in prison for importing ketamine, and three concurrent sentences of two years in prison for failing to disclose information held on his personal devices, to be served consecutively with the first sentence.
Acting on his behalf for his Royal Court appeal hearing last week, Advocate Sam Steel argued that the sentences were “manifestly excessive”.
It was said that as the “middleman” in the drug importation, Johnson should not have been sentenced on the basis that he had been fully involved. His motivation was personal use not financial, the appeal court was told.
It was also argued that the sentences given for the RIPL offences was “manifestly excessive” because Johnson had no previous convictions and that a co-defendant who had previously been convicted of withholding his passcodes had received a lesser sentence.
The Court of Appeal disagreed on both counts.
It was decided that neither of the sentences were excessive and that the correct discounts had been applied. Johnson’s sentence was therefore upheld.