R v Samuel Black
[2024] EWCA Crim 1225
R v Adil Riaz
26 October 2023
[2023] EWCA Crim 1292
Court of Appeal
A man was sentenced to 24 years in prison for serious crimes involving drugs and weapons. He tried to appeal his sentence, but the court said the sentence was fair considering how serious his crimes were. There were a few small corrections made to the official paperwork.
Key Facts
- •Adil Riaz (33) pleaded guilty to offences across three indictments.
- •Indictment 1: Drug conspiracy (Class A, 284kg cocaine, £2.9 million), handling criminal property.
- •Indictment 2: Possession of a prohibited firearm, robbery (2 counts), dangerous driving, driving while disqualified.
- •Indictment 3: Possession of a prohibited weapon (9mm AR-15 assault rifle), possession of an explosive substance (IED grenades).
- •Initial pleas varied across indictments, eventually pleading guilty to all charges.
- •Original sentence: 24 years imprisonment (concurrent and consecutive sentences across indictments), 14-year driving ban.
Legal Principles
Sentencing Guidelines for Supply of Class A Drugs
Sentencing Guideline
Sentencing Guideline for Street and Less Serious Commercial Robberies
Sentencing Guideline
Sentencing Guideline for Transfer of Prohibited Weapons
Sentencing Guideline
Principle of Totality
Sentencing Principles
Section 11(3) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968
Criminal Appeal Act 1968
Section 36 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
Sections 35A and 35B of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988
Section 244ZA of the Criminal Justice Act 2003
Criminal Justice Act 2003
R v Needham [2016] EWCA Crim 455
Case Law
Outcomes
Appeal refused.
The court found the sentence, while substantial, was not manifestly excessive given the severity and scale of the crimes and that the principle of totality was adequately considered. The reduction for guilty pleas was noted. Amendments to the trial record sheet regarding driving offences and sentencing concurrency were ordered, but others were not due to Section 11(3) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968.