Joanne Cestaro, Partner in our private team, was instructed by a young man who had entered guilty pleas to serious offences of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. His family reached out to Joanne after he had been remanded in custody following these pleas.
Our client, a university student, became involved in drugs due to financial difficulties. After accruing a substantial debt to a dealer, he felt compelled to become a dealer himself to pay it off. This case raised significant concerns about modern slavery, as it became clear that he was subjected to pressure from others.
With private funding, we were able to engage an expert in modern slavery, whose insights were pivotal in crafting a robust mitigation strategy. Joanne collaborated closely with the client’s family and barrister Janice Brennan from Lamb Building to ensure that every facet of mitigation was thoroughly explored.
Through meticulous preparation and a detailed presentation of the circumstances surrounding our client’s situation, we successfully argued that he had been a victim of exploitation rather than a typical dealer. As a result, the court imposed a suspended sentence, a remarkable outcome considering he had initially faced over four years of imprisonment.
At Lawtons, we strive to provide tailored representation and support for individuals in challenging circumstances. If you or someone you know needs legal assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
