Review of drug sentencing needed as a 'matter of urgency'

DHA asked to take action after failed appeals from convicted drug dealers

Government should conduct a review into sentences for drug offences as a ‘matter of urgency’.

That’s the view of a Judge of Appeal, and two deemsters, who’ve called on the Department of Home Affairs to take action saying it’s time for the matter to be revisited.

It follows two failed appeals from convicted drug dealers who argued that sentences handed down in April this year were manifestly excessive.

Caldwell-Camp

The current Caldwell-Camp sentencing principles are more than 20 years old.

They were established by the Isle of Man Appeal Division in 2005 and concern the sentencing range for cases involving the supply of Class A drugs on, and to, the Island.

At the time there was a particular emphasis on the importation of ecstasy, LSD and other drugs in tablet form.

However Judge of Appeal Cross KC and Acting Deemsters Arrowsmith and Hopmeier say drug supply has now become ‘ever more sophisticated’.

They add that the presence of organised crime groups from other jurisdictions has ‘taken hold’ and there is ‘no doubt’ that the volume of cocaine being imported is ‘increasing’.

They’ve also questioned whether ketamine should be reclassified as a Class A drug instead of Class B.

The trio has asked for any review to encompass a sentencing guideline for all types of drug offending - and set out routes to sentence - in a similar way to that of England and Wales.

Appeals

Their plea comes after two appeals heard in the Isle of Man Staff of Government Division concerning Liam Bradley and Adrian Larcombe.

Both men were jailed after separate cases concerning production of cocaine to the Isle of Man.

The cases raised similar issues in relation to the correct approach to be taken in the application of the guidance set out in Caldwell-Camp.

Bradley

Bradley was sentenced to nine years and four months in custody in October 2025 after producing 356 grams of cocaine to the Island in May 2025.

He also transferred £13,000 of criminal property.

Bradley was arrested as part of ‘Operation Tirana’ which focussed on the importation of drugs to the Island via Steam Packet sailings.

He appealed on the basis that the sentence was manifestly excessive and/or that there was a failure by the sentencing deemster to apply the right legal principles.

Bradley’s argument was dismissed as being ‘totally without merit’ with the appeal panel actually determining his sentence had been ‘unduly lenient’.

“The appellant was engaged in organised crime concerned in the production of dangerously addictive drugs to this Island. We are satisfied that some of his customers would inevitably sell his drugs to the vulnerable and the young. The appellant had no concern for such.” - Isle of Man Staff of Government Division

Larcombe

Larcombe was sentenced in November 2025 to 14 years and six months in prison after being found guilty of producing cocaine.

The Nottingham man’s fingerprints were found on the box, and packaging, of a mini fridge used to smuggle almost one kilogram of high purity cocaine to the Island in September 2023.

He too had tried to argue that his sentence was manifestly excessive saying the deemster had come to conclusions that were not justified on the evidence and/or were irrational.

The appeal panel determined there had been ‘some confusion’ as to the correct approach to sentencing but said it was ‘wholly appropriate’.

“This appellant together with his co-accused took the decision to produce a significant amount of high purity cocaine into this Island. The sentence he received was not manifestly excessive in any way.” Isle of Man Staff of Government Division

Home Affairs

As a result of both cases the Judge of Appeal, and deemsters, say it’s apparent that clarification of the correct approach to sentencing in drugs cases is required.

You can read the full judgement HERE. 

The Justice and Home Affairs (Reform and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 is currently waiting for Royal Assent.

When brought in it will enable an ad-hoc sentencing council to be established to deal with matters of sentencing policy.

Manx Radio has invited the Department of Home Affairs to respond.