A sentence of 14 years' imprisonment for an offence of possession of class A drugs, namely opium, was manifestly excessive and accordingly the sentence was quashed and substituted with a term of nine years' imprisonment. Furthermore, a set of guidelines for sentencing in similar cases was determined by the Court of Appeal.

CA (Crim Div) (Lord Woolf of Barnes LCJ, Rougier J, Bell J)

25/07/2000