A father of three has been spared jail after accepting £100 to carry a package of class A drugs into a dance music festival in St Helens. Andrew Leigh, 37, was identified by sniffer dogs at the Reminisce Dance Festival last year.
The package contained almost ten grams of cocaine, as well as MDMA tablets, MDMA powder and ketamine, a court heard. Leigh, from Friargate in Preston, appeared in court on Monday (October 19) for sentencing after admitting three counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.
Courier Role Determined
Despite the substantial quantity of substances, including individual portions that appeared prepared for distribution, the judge determined Leigh had no intention of selling the drugs personally but was 'the courier and nothing more', reports the Liverpool Echo.
Nevertheless, owing to the quantity and street value of the substances, the offence exceeded a threshold that placed Leigh in danger of receiving a custodial sentence. He was calculated to have been transporting between £392 to £981 worth of cocaine, £95 to £190 of MDMA tablets, £294 to £323 of MDMA powder, £546 to £910 of 'pink tusi' and £154 to £308 of ketamine.
Previous Convictions Considered
Speaking to his defence barrister, Scarlett Wilson, he described the offence as a 'stupid mistake'. Leigh's criminal record includes three previous convictions covering five offences which resulted in custodial sentences - none involving drug-related matters. He was also previously convicted for violent disorder and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in 2015, and had previously been cautioned for drug possession.
The judge noted that Leigh clearly accepted 'responsibility for his actions' regarding his latest charges and that he posed neither a significant reoffending risk nor danger to others.
Sentence Handed Down
After hearing submissions from both defence and prosecution, Judge Derek Jones took into account Leigh's personal situation and background, including his duties as a parent. The judge additionally weighed up his rehabilitation prospects within the community and previous adherence to court orders, both factors working in his favour.
Leigh was handed a 15-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months alongside a probation requirement. He was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and instructed to pay £600 in costs. Prior to the hearing, the court was informed that Leigh had asked his defence barrister to apologise to the court and 'everyone affected'.
