Sark worker avoids jail after importing cannabis

Rebecca Saunders, 36, admitted two counts of importing the class B substance.

Crown Advocate Chris Dunford told the court how a postal worker in Sark came across a parcel that was addressed to a Richard Johnson at a property on the island.

The postal worker was suspicious, so the package was returned to Guernsey Post. The Guernsey Border Agency became involved and when the package was opened it was found to contain 29.11g of herbal cannabis in a heat-sealed packet.

Five days later officers went to Sark to conduct a search of the defendant’s accommodation. The defendant, who was there, told officers ‘it was nothing to do with me’.

When officers went to the Sark post office they found another package addressed to Richard Johnson which contained 28.05g of the class B substance.

Saunders was arrested and her mobile phoned seized. Messages found on it were indicative of her arranging to purchase cannabis.

She declined to answer the majority of questions in interview, but said that she was planning to apply for medicinal cannabis.

The drug had a total weight of 57.16g and a local street value of up to £2,708.

She had no previous convictions at the time of the offences but about month later in the Sark Seneschal’s Court she was made subject to a conditional discharge for possessing cannabis.

Defending, Advocate Samuel Steel said his client had not named her supplier as she was fearful of repercussions, though she had disclosed the pin code to her mobile phone. The drugs were for her own use and there was no evidence of onward supply.

She had worked in Sark for four years after falling in love with the island and she now abstained from using cannabis to avoid getting in further trouble.

She had little money which was why she had not followed through her plan to apply for medicinal cannabis.

She had to accept that her use of the postal system had been an aggravating factor but she had only asked for the second package to be sent after not receiving the first one.

Delivering the court’s sentencing remarks, Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon said the court had noted the defendant’s pro-cannabis views.

‘But you have lived in the Bailiwick long enough to know that drug trafficking will not be tolerated here,’ he said.

The defendant appeared to have swapped a reliance on alcohol with cannabis use after she suffered a heart attack while in her late 20s, he said.

The court would not be sending Saunders to prison, he said.

‘Our belief is that this is an experience that you will not want to repeat, and there is a realistic prospect of your rehabilitation without seeing the inside of Les Nicolles,’ he said.

Sentences of 21 months in prison, suspended for the maximum of three years, were imposed, concurrent for each offence.

Forfeiture and destruction of the drug and the defendant’s mobile phone was also ordered.