Chart-topping rapper Nines jailed for plot to import 28kg of cannabis – The Independent
‘Chart-topping rapper Nines has been jailed for 28 months for importing 28kg of cannabis.’
The Independent, 2nd October 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Category: drug offences
‘Racist’ drug laws should be reformed, says former government adviser – The Independent
‘Britain’s drug laws are racist and need to be overhauled, a former government adviser has said. Lord Simon Woolley, who used to lead the government’s race disparity unit, said the 50-year-old Misuse of Drugs Act should be reviewed, as it is a “tool of systemic racism”.’
The Independent, 30th September 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
UK drug laws used as tool of systemic racism, says ex-No 10 adviser – The Guardian
‘Britain’s drug laws are racist and cause “high levels of mental health harm” among black people, a former No 10 race adviser has said.’
The Guardian, 29th September 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Swansea man jailed after CCTV operator witnessed rape – BBC News
‘A man has been jailed for more than eight years after a CCTV operator saw him raping a woman.’
BBC News, 16th September 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Possession of laughing gas could become a criminal offence, Priti Patel says – The Independent
‘Priti Patel has announced that the Home Office is seeking advice on whether to criminalise the possession of laughing gas.’
The Independent, 3rd September 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Research Briefing: General debate: Misuse of Drugs Act – House of Commons Library
‘This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the main piece of legislation through which illicit drugs are controlled across the UK.’
House of Commons Library, 16th June 2021
Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk
Ex-Royal Marines jailed after child accidentally given cocaine as gift – The Guardian
‘Two former Royal Marines have been jailed for smuggling cocaine into the UK in boxes of Lego, after one of them was accidentally given to a child for his birthday.’
The Guardian, 15th June 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Aram Sheibani: International drugs boss with luxury lifestyle jailed – BBC News
‘A man who was the “very head” of a large-scale international drugs conspiracy with links to Colombia has been jailed.’
BBC News, 10th June 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Black people 12 times more likely to be prosecuted for cannabis, new analysis shows – The Independent
‘Black people are 12 times more likely to be prosecuted for cannabis possession than white people, according to new analysis by the Liberal Democrats who are calling for an end to the use of Stop and Search for small amounts.’
The Independent, 27th May 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
The Times, They Are A-Changin’ [Again] – Carmelite Chambers
‘For those practitioners who thought that a positive decision from the Single Competent Authority as to whether a defendant was a victim of trafficking is admissible, having been settled since early 2020 with the Divisional Court decision in DPP v M [2020] EWHC 344 Admin, well…think again.’
Carmelite Chambers, 20th May 2021
Source: www.carmelitechambers.co.uk
Former Met officer who used position to aid criminal gang jailed – The Guardian
‘A former Metropolitan police officer who used his position to help a criminal gang seize money from other offenders has been jailed for eight years.’
The Guardian, 13th May 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Chef jailed for raping five women after spiking drinks – BBC News
‘A chef who raped five women after spiking their drinks has been jailed for 24 years.’
BBC News, 22nd April 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
GHB: Killer drug to be made a Class B substance – BBC News
‘A drug used in attacks by the UK’s most prolific rapist and the serial killer Stephen Port will be reclassified.’
BBC News, 30th March 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Two members of Freshwater Five lose appeal against drugs convictions – The Guardian
‘Two members of the Freshwater Five convicted more than a decade ago of attempting to smuggle £53m of cocaine into the UK have lost an appeal against their convictions.’
The Guardian, 25th March 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Sutton Coldfield pharmacist jailed over £1m black market pills sale – BBC News
‘A pharmacist who illegally sold addictive prescription pills valued at more than £1m on the black market has been jailed for 12 months.’
BBC News, 2nd March 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Police boss wants to trial giving cannabis to prisoners – The Independent
‘Prisoners should be given cannabis to help deal with addiction problems and tackle violence, according to a police and crime commissioner (PCC) in Wales.’
The Independent, 28th February 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Police watchdog castigates forces over use of stop and search – The Guardian
‘Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has castigated police forces over stop and search, saying that 35 years after the power was introduced they were still unable to explain why black people are more likely to be targeted.’
The Guardian, 26th February 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Today in Focus Podcast: Freshwater – The Guardian
‘Today [23 February], the Freshwater Five case is in front of the court of appeal after the disclosure of new evidence that the defence says points to the men’s conviction being unsafe. Why has it taken a decade to get to this point?’
The Guardian, 23rd February 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Victims of human trafficking: can they be criminals as well? – EIN Blog
‘Human trafficking is internationally recognised as threatening human rights and the fundamental values of democratic societies. States have taken action to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking and to provide support to victims of what is the third largest illicit money-making venture in the world. But what happens when the victims of trafficking commit a crime themselves? Should they be prosecuted? What factors are relevant in this assessment? And which arm of the State should the assessment of whether someone is a victim of trafficking be entrusted to? This is the first time the European Court of Human Rights has tackled these questions. The Court found that the UK had breached its obligations under articles 4 and 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights by prosecuting two Vietnamese children who were potential victims of trafficking.’
EIN Blog 24th February 2021
Source: www.ein.org.uk
Forensic science rationing is putting justice at risk, says outgoing regulator – The Guardian
‘Police forces are having to ration forensic toxicology work, especially samples from suspected drug drivers, because there is not enough capacity in the system to handle the volume of work, the outgoing forensic science regulator has said.’
The Guardian, 16th February 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
