R v Ashley Hook & Anor
[2024] EWCA Crim 621
R v Cornelius Corrigan
13 March 2024
[2024] EWCA Crim 328
Court of Appeal
A man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his part in a big drug smuggling operation. He appealed, arguing his sentence was too long compared to others involved. The court decided the judge made the right decision, as the man had a significant role and had used his children to help him, which made his crime worse.
Key Facts
- •Cornelius Corrigan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of class A drugs (cocaine and methamphetamine).
- •Operation Farrier investigated a drug trafficking operation headed by Patrick Lawless, involving around 40kg of drugs.
- •Corrigan was linked to three delivery addresses and collected 14 drug deliveries.
- •Police seized £6,200, cocaine, packaging, and scales from Corrigan's home.
- •Corrigan's sentence was 12 years' imprisonment.
- •The judge considered the overall conspiracy and individual roles, applying sentencing guidelines.
Legal Principles
Sentencing should reflect the overall conspiracy and individual roles.
Sentencing Guidelines
Disparity in sentencing must be significant enough to suggest a miscarriage of justice.
R v Balfour Beatty [2007] 1 Cr.App.R (S) 65
Outcomes
The appeal against sentence was refused.
The court found no error in the judge's approach to the seriousness of the offence, aggravating and mitigating factors, or in the comparison to co-conspirators' sentences. The disparity in sentencing was not deemed significant enough to warrant interference.