Consultation paper on sentencing for drug offences – Sentencing Guidelines Council

Posted April 23rd, 2009 in drug offences, news, sentencing by sally

“On Wednesday 22 April the Sentencing Advisory Panel published a consultation paper relating to the sentencing of the most commonly committed drug offences.”

Consultation paper on sentencing of drug offences (PDF)

Press Notice (PDF)

Drugs consultation paper – Annex B (xls)

Sentencing Guidelines Council, 22nd April 2009

Source: www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk

Drugs barons ‘should face shorter sentences’, report says – The Times

Posted April 23rd, 2009 in drug offences, news, sentencing by sally

“Drugs barons should be given shorter prison sentences, according to official proposals published today (22 April).”

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The Times, 22nd April 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Drug offence case is landmark for Britons jailed abroad – The Guardian

Posted April 16th, 2009 in drug offences, extradition, news by sally

“A man serving 33 years in a British jail for a drug offence committed in Thailand is to challenge his sentence in what could become a precedent-setting case for Britons jailed abroad. The case is being watched by the growing number of Britons in overseas jails who want to serve their sentence in the UK.”

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The Guardian, 16th April 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Drug court to offer addicts help – BBC News

Posted April 8th, 2009 in drug offences, news by sally

“The first court in Wales dedicated to dealing with drug offenders will be opened later in Cardiff by Justice Secretary Jack Straw.”

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BBC News, 8th April 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Legalisation of drugs could save UK £14bn, says study – The Guardian

Posted April 7th, 2009 in drug offences, news by sally

“The regulated legalisation of drugs would have major benefits for taxpayers, victims of crime, local communities and the criminal justice system, according to the first comprehensive comparison between the cost-effectiveness of legalisation and prohibition. The authors of the report, which is due to be published today, suggest that a legalised, regulated market could save the country around £14bn.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th April 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

YouTube man fined over cannabis – BBC News

Posted March 4th, 2009 in drug offences, internet, news, sentencing by sally

“A Somerset man has been fined £200 after posting a video on the YouTube website of cannabis he was growing.”

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BBC News, 4th March 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Jail for new parent drug dealers – BBC News

Posted February 27th, 2009 in drug offences, news, sentencing by sally

“A drug dealing couple have been jailed just days after their son was born in prison.”

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BBC News, 26th February 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ecstasy should be downgraded to class B drug say government advisers – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 9th, 2009 in drug offences, news by sally

“Ecstasy should be downgraded to a class B drug, the government’s drugs advisers are to recommend.”

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Daily Telegraph, 7th February 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Cannabis is now a Class B drug – Home Office

Posted January 27th, 2009 in drug offences, news, press releases by sally

“Concerns about effects of ‘skunk’ and the mental health of users lead to the change.”

Full press release

Home Office, 26th January 2009

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Cannabis becomes Class B drug today, but no spot fines yet – The Times

Posted January 26th, 2009 in drug offences, news by sally

“Cannabis is upgraded to a Class B drug today, but users will not be fined after the sudden withdrawal of new powers to allow on-the-spot penalties.”

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The Times, 26th January 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

People caught with cannabis after it is reclassified to escape fines after delay – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 20th, 2009 in drug offences, news by sally

“People caught smoking cannabis will escape £80 on-the-spot fines when the drug is reclassified next week.”

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Daily Telegraph, 19th Janaury 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Drug rehabilitation for offenders a waste of time, says judge – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 8th, 2009 in drug offences, news, rehabilitation by sally

“Thousands of drug rehabilitation programmes handed to offenders by the courts each year are a waste of time, a judge has warned.”

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Daily Telegraph, 7th January 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Government clashes again with its own drug advisers about downgrading ecstasy – The Guardian

Posted January 5th, 2009 in drug offences, news by sally

“The government’s drug advisers are to recommend ecstasy be downgraded to a class B drug, in a report due to go before ministers at the end of the month.”

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The Guardian, 5th January 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Nightclub drugs pair lose appeal – BBC News

Posted December 12th, 2008 in appeals, drug offences, news by sally

“Two men jailed for permitting the ‘rampant’ sale of ecstasy at a Devon nightclub have lost their appeal.”

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BBC News, 12th December 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Cannabis upgrade ‘very damaging’ – BBC News

Posted November 25th, 2008 in drug offences, news by sally

“A group of leading scientists and MPs has attacked plans to reclassify cannabis as a more dangerous drug.”

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BBC News, 25th November 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Drug use declines as seizures reach record – The Guardian

Posted October 31st, 2008 in drug abuse, drug offences, news by sally

“Illicit drug use in Britain is declining, with cannabis use at its lowest level for 10 years and cocaine also down, according to British Crime Survey figures published yesterday. The estimated falls in drug consumption are matched by a 15% rise in seizures of all classes of drugs by the police and customs in England and Wales to 186,028 – a level not seen since 1973.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st October 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Woman’s ear sliced for £10 debt – BBC News

Posted October 24th, 2008 in drug offences, news, wounding by sally

“A drug dealer has been found guilty of cutting part of a woman’s ear off because she owed him £10.”

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BBC News, 23rd October 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Tougher action on cannabis – Home Office

Posted October 16th, 2008 in drug offences, press releases by sally

“When cannabis is reclassified as a Class B drug in 2009, those who continually break the law will face tougher penalties.”

Full press release

Home Office, 15th October 2008

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Mother was seduced by 14-year-old boy, says judge – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 14th, 2008 in children, drug offences, news, sentencing, sexual offences by sally

“A judge allowed a mother who had sex with a 14-year-old boy to walk free, saying that the boy seduced her.”

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Daily Telegraph, 14th October 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New penalties for cannabis users announced – The Guardian

Posted October 13th, 2008 in drug offences, news by sally

“Cannabis users face new penalties when the drug is upgraded to class B from January next year, the home secretary said today.”

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The Guardian, 13th October 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk