Scarlett Watkins persuades judge to impose exceptional suspended sentence in prison drugs conspiracy

Scarlett Watkins, during her pupillage, appeared for the first defendant in a serious prison drugs conspiracy involving five counts of conspiracy to convey List A articles into a custodial establishment using a drone. The defendant entered guilty pleas to all counts at his Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing. He was the first defendant in a three-handed conspiracy to convey various drugs into a prison establishment. Following a foot chase from the police, the defendant was arrested in possession of a bag containing a drone, rope, and various packages. Flight data from the drone confirmed two flights had taken place over the prison.

The prosecution invited the court to follow the approach set out in recent authorities, which emphasise that immediate custody should be the starting point for offences of this nature. Despite this, following written and oral submissions in mitigation, Scarlett successfully persuaded the judge to take the exceptional approach to suspend the sentence.

Scarlett was instructed and assisted by Kelli Love at DPP Law