Pleasants, David

In December 2008, David Pleasants pleaded guilty to possession of heroin both with and without intent to supply, attempting to escape from custody and assault occasioning bodily harm.

The offences were committed while on licence from a previous 14 year sentence for conspiracy to blackmail. The judge ordered that Mr Pleasants serve the whole remaining period of the 14 year sentence and made a new seven year sentence for possession with intent to run consecutive to that order.

The CCRC received an application for review of the sentence in May 2011.

The CCRC decided to refer Mr Pleasant’s sentence to the Court of Appeal because it believed that there was a real possibility that the court would amend the sentence.

The referral was made on the basis that, in the particular circumstances of this case, the judge had no power under section 116 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 to make the order revoking the licence for the previous sentence and allowing the new sentence to be made consecutive to that revocation.

The CCRC referred the sentence in March 2012.

The Court of Appeal reduced the sentence in November 2012.