Family of nurse with PTSD who imported drugs ‘absolutely crushed’ by appeal refusal
AN APPEAL against a three-year prison sentence imposed on children’s nurse Pip Orchard for drug importation and motoring offences has been denied, much to the disappointment of his family.
Orchard was jailed for importing cocaine and a tranquiliser drug used to treat anxiety, plus a separate offence of drink-driving. He pleaded guilty to all the charges in the Royal Court.
He had spent his entire professional and voluntary life helping sick children and refugees and suffered trauma as a result, being diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.
In a letter published in today’s Guernsey Press, Mr Orchard’s parents, Carol and Tom, thank the nearly 4,500 people who have signed the ‘Free Pip’ petition, demonstrating that they want changes in sentencing and a judicial structure which reflects modern times, they said.
They described the denial of appeal as ‘absolutely crushing’ but said they were grateful to all those ‘who recognised the system did not serve the community well’.
‘It’s easy to shy away from difficult conversations rather than act on them,’ Mr Orchard told the Press this week.
‘From talking to Pip in prison, we’ve heard lots of stories of other inmates, and we’re certainly not the only family to have our lives turned upside down like this.’
Letter in full in Voices
