A FRENCH carpenter who tried to smuggle drugs into Jersey has been jailed for nine months – after Jurats decided they were for his personal use.
The Royal Court heard yesterday that Sebastien Le Breton (44) tried to bring two 100-gram bars of cannabis resin and seven methadone tablets into the Island in his luggage on the ferry from St Malo.
Cannabis is a class B drug and methadone is class A.
Le Breton claimed that, despite the quantities of cannabis he was carrying, he did not plan to sell it, and it was all for his own use. Jurats decided to ‘give him the benefit of the doubt’ by accepting this.
Advocate Carla Carvalho, prosecuting, said Le Breton had been stopped at the Elizabeth Harbour ferry terminal at 7.40am on 24 October, just after arriving from St Malo.
He had come to the Island to work for CNR Construction and produced a work permit.
In his luggage officers found the two bars of cannabis resin, each around the size of a bar of soap, and seven tablets of methadone in a blister pack.
Le Breton admitted two charges of evading the prohibition on importing goods.
He said he used five grams of cannabis a day and when asked why he had enough with him for 40 days – while only in Jersey five days a week – he replied: ‘No comment.’
Advocate Carvalho said that the prosecution therefore believed he was planning to sell it. ‘His claim, the Crown submits, is wholly implausible,’ she said.
Le Breton was assessed as a being at moderate risk of reconviction.
The advocate recommended a sentence of 18 months.
Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, said that when interviewed by the police Le Breton had not asked for legal advice.
‘That reflects that he didn’t know whether he was coming or going. He was honest and co-operative.’
He added that Le Breton did not tend to socialise with his colleagues, so pointed out: ‘There was little scope for him to be dealing to his fellow workers.’
And he said: ‘Clearly this is a significant and life-changing event for Mr Le Breton.
‘This could be the junction in the road where he takes the right path.’
Announcing the sentence, Commissioner William Bailhache told him: ‘This court regards the importation of any drug, particularly a class A drug, as very serious.’
But he added: ‘We are going to give you the benefit of the doubt that the cannabis was for your personal use.
‘We hope that this will be a turning point in your life.’
The court also recommended Le Breton’s deportation after serving his sentence.
The other Jurats sitting were Steven Austin-Vautier and Kim Averty.
