R v Jack Nicholas Daniels
[2022] EWCA Crim 1735
R v John James Dillon
20 June 2024
[2024] EWCA Crim 792
Court of Appeal
A man was caught using a secret messaging app to plan massive cocaine deals. He got a long prison sentence (18 years 9 months) and tried to appeal, but the court said the sentence was fair considering the amount of drugs and the planning involved.
Key Facts
- •John Dillon (54) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to evade importation of class A drugs (two counts), and possessing criminal property.
- •Offences involved cocaine supply/importation (January 2020 - February 2023).
- •Evidence from EncroChat messages linked Dillon to the handle "deepoasis."
- •Count 1: Conspiracy to supply 19kg cocaine.
- •Count 4 ("Far Job"): Conspiracy to import ~50kg cocaine from Colombia; £94,000 investment.
- •Count 5 ("Dock Job"): Conspiracy to import 100kg cocaine from Europe; limited involvement.
- •Count 7: Possession of £10,900 in cash.
- •Dillon had seven previous convictions (most recent in 2006, non-drug related).
- •Sentenced to 18 years 9 months imprisonment (concurrent sentences).
Legal Principles
Sentencing for drug conspiracies should involve a 'fair but realistic assessment of the overall scale of the conspiracies, actual and intended operations'.
R v Cavanagh [2021] EWCA Crim 1584 at [8]
Outcomes
Appeal against sentence refused.
The judge appropriately considered the scale of the conspiracies, Dillon's role in each, and the overall criminality. The sentence reflected the seriousness of the offences, including the large quantities of drugs involved and international links. While mitigating factors were considered, they did not outweigh the gravity of the crimes.