A “DRUG addict” who tried to carry the class A drug methylamphetamine into Jersey has been jailed for six months.
Thomas David Holden (32) travelled to the Island with his partner on a flight from England on 11 January, and claimed he had come to the Island for work – but could not provide the name of his employer.
He was found with a glass pipe used for smoking methylamphetamine and handed over an envelope containing 1.6 grams of the drug. He stressed that his partner was not involved.
The Magistrate’s Court heard that Holden had previous convictions for possession of cocaine. The methylamphetamine was worth an estimated £300 to £400 and Advocate Adam Harrison, prosecuting, said it was a small amount for Holden’s personal use.
“The dangers were to himself,” he said.
Advocate Stephen Wauchope, defending, argued for a probation order.
Advocate Wauchope pointed out that Holden immediately pleaded guilty, and said: “What you have before you is an addict. He brought with him the tools to deal with his addiction.”
He added: “Any amount of custody would be unusual for such a small amount of drugs.”
But Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke said Holden failed to abide by court orders, had breached conditional discharges in the past and was considered at high risk of reconviction.
He told Holden: “You knew it was illegal to bring class A drugs into Jersey.”
The drugs were destroyed.
