SUSPENDED SENTENCES FOR MEN INVOLVED IN LITTLE LONDON CANNABIS FARM

2 men arrested and charged following the discovery of a cannabis farm in Newport, described by a judge as ‘looking like a greenhouse at Kew Gardens’, have both been handed suspended prison sentences. 43-year-old Robert Godley and 48-year-old Gino Dent were sentenced before His Honour Judge Pawson at the Isle of Wight Crown Court earlier today (Friday). At a previous hearing earlier this year, Godley admitted permitting production on premises of a Class B drug, whilst Dent admitted possessing a controlled drug of Class A and being concerned in the production of a controlled drug of Class B. The prosecutor in the case told the court that on 29th June 2022, as previously reported by Island Echo, Police were called to a commercial premises at Little London in Newport after receiving reports of a strong smell of cannabis in the area. Officers met Godley – the occupier of the premises – at the door. Upon entering the premises, officers were immediately hit by the strong aroma and found detritus and other related waste materials on the floor. They were about to send the Police dog inside when Gino Dent came downstairs from the separate on-site accommodation. Having arrested the pair, a search was conducted and a small quantity of Class A drugs was found in Dent’s possession. In the days that followed the arrests, several black bin bags were removed from the property. The court heard how around 200-400 cannabis plants were located inside the warehouse, but their exact street value – believed to be well in excess of £100,000 – remains unknown. Dent has a total of 4 previous convictions some of which are for offences of a similar nature. Godley is more heavily convicted with a total of 19 convictions for 45 offences, and has only recently completed a drug rehabilitation review. The defence said how, at the time of the offence, Godley – who works as a labourer – was experiencing some troubles in his personal life. They added that Dent had turned his life around since his arrest and that his remorse was genuine. At a previous hearing, the court heard how Godley had agreed to sub-let the premises to Dent. After some deliberation, His Honour Judge Pawson elected not to send either man to prison. Robert Godley was handed a 16-month prison sentence suspended for 2 years and ordered to complete a 9-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 30 rehabilitation activity days. He was also fined £6,000. Dent was handed a 10-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation days. The plants seized are to be destroyed.