Drugs men go free as court cuts sentences

Top judges have freed a Cannock drug addict and his friend from Walsall who were jailed after being caught in possession of a "tiny" quantity of drugs.

Ashley Tomlinson, aged 27, of Market Street, Hednesford, and Simon Russell Bird, 26, of Shannon Drive, Walsall, had their prison sentences reduced by more than half at the Appeal Court in London and so were able to walk free. The men had originally been jailed for 15 months after being caught in a car with "minute" amounts of drugs.

They were found with cannabis, amphetamine and cocaine in January last year.

The pair admitted to officers that they had been supplying cannabis to friends to feed their own habits.

Both men were jailed last November at Stafford Crown Court after pleading guilty to supplying cannabis and possession of cocaine.

Tomlinson also admitted having amphetamine and was given a concurrent sentence for that.

Lady Justice Hallett, sitting with Mr Justice Openshaw and Judge Henry Globe, freed both men after reducing their sentences to six months.

Allowing the appeals, Lady Justice Hallett said: "They were found in possession of tiny quantities of drugs.

"They then admitted they supplied drugs to friends, which led to the convictions.

"Given the small quantities of drugs involved, they are to be commended for their frankness.

"They were addicted to cannabis and sold to friends to feed their habits.

"We are satisfied that the sentences were excessive.

"Those that deal in drugs must understand that they may go to prison if caught, but the amounts involved here were extremely small and the supply was to fund their own habits.

"This offending was at the very bottom of the scale. Accordingly we will quash both sentences and substitute sentences of six months imprisonment."