Michael Clarke, a 24-year-old former Uber driver from Walton, was sentenced to nine weeks in prison for his involvement in a ketamine supply operation, resulting in his immediate release from HMP Liverpool. The sentencing took place at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, October 6, after Clarke had already served several months in custody while awaiting court proceedings.
During the hearing, a woman in the public gallery shouted support for Clarke as he was freed, saying: "See you on the other side kidda. He shouldn't be in there anyway. C***s."
Police Raid and Seizures
The court heard that police attended Clarke's home on April 29 this year and seized a quantity of cannabis, two cannabis grinders, and two machetes. Officers also found a phone that had been used to offer ketamine for sale to users.
Robert Dudley, prosecuting, described Clarke as the "operator of that phone." However, Clarke, who worked as an Uber driver after his apprenticeship as a trainee electrician was halted by the covid pandemic, stated in a basis of plea accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service that he had been "instructed to drive another person" as part of the drug enterprise and had not directly sold to customers. He accepted he had worked in this way on "certain days" from March this year onwards, having "received modest payment" in return.
Defence and Sentencing
Donal McGuire, defending, urged the court to pass a sentence enabling Clarke's immediate release, noting he had served at least 13 months. McGuire said: "He has a job. He is being mentored. Your honour knows the involvement of his sister and a cousin. Your honour may have confidence that they are people who will guide him, note what he does and does not do and assist him in returning to a law abiding lifestyle."
McGuire added that Clarke had gained employment as a taxi driver after losing his job during the pandemic and had engaged positively while in prison. He said: "The court may feel that this is one of those occasions where a period in custody has had a very marked effect on this young man and he will learn those difficult lessons."
Clarke admitted being concerned in the supply of ketamine, with a further charge of being concerned in the supply of cocaine dropped by the prosecution. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a grey Arc'teryx jumper, he was handed a nine-week prison sentence, meaning he will likely be released imminently.
Judge's Remarks
Recorder Anna Price, sentencing, said: "Essentially, the police went to your address, where you were detained with drugs and paraphernalia. There was a graft phone recovered, which was attributed to you. Your basis of plea sets out that you were effectively driving someone around for them to supply drugs."
She added: "You must have been aware of the scale of the operation in which you were involved. There was offending over a period of time. You have no previous convictions. You are still relatively young. You are a carer for your mother, although you obviously have not been able to fulfil that role when you have been remanded in custody. That has clearly had an impact on her. You have a firm offer of employment, and you are considered to be a low risk of reoffending. You have already served that sentence. That is a sentence of custody that will, in all likelihood, result in your immediate release."
