Brit could have jail time extended

A British woman who smuggled drugs into the island could face a longer prison term after the Crown asked for her original sentence to be quashed. 

Lauren Davis, 24, was sentenced to six months in prison last month for importing $60,000 worth of cannabis resin — more than 600 grams. 

At the sentencing date, Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner started the base sentence at 12 months and gave Davis a 50 per cent discount for her early guilty plea and for cooperating with police. 

The court heard Davis gave police a detailed interview and went as far as to give police the names of who she brought the drugs into the island for.

At that hearing Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess said a 35 per cent discount was sufficient because Davis didn’t tell police anything they didn’t already know. Ms Burgess said Davis helped to fill in gaps. 

Yesterday, Ms Burgess lodged an appeal in the Supreme Court and said the sentence handed down by Mr Warner was “too lenient”. 

“Essentially, the applicant’s submission is that the sentencing magistrate, his starting point was too low and the discount given was too high. 

“Although a sentencing judge has a wide discretion, the sentence imposed should reflect the principles of sentencing. 

“One of the principles of sentencing is general deterrence.”

Ms Burgess said the low starting point was not in line with guideline cases. She also maintained that the discount should not have been more than 35 percent. 

The prosecutor said the correct starting point should have been four to five years with a discount given on top of that for the guilty plea and her cooperation. 

Marc Daniels, Davis’ lawyer, said there should be a set penalty per pound of cannabis. 

“I have not seen more than three years imposed in amounts of two to three pounds. In this context, the 600 grams comes to one pound and a quarter. 

“It’s arguable to say that there’s a year attached to each pound.

“I still maintain that the period of four to five years is too high.”

Mr Daniels also said his client provided police with a substantial amount of information and he understands an arrest has been made as a result.  

“There was information given that could lead to further arrests. There was a significant amount of information given. 

“Ms Davis is willing to come to court and give evidence. She got duped into a situation. 

“She tried to back out at the last minute. She was under pressure to continue with it and she did.”

Davis was arrested after she left the airport arriving on a flight from Gatwick. She was arrested on suspicion of importation and told police the drugs were in her luggage. 

She was working at Strands Hair Salon at the time of the incident. 

Chief Justice Ian Kawaley will hand down his judgement at a later date.