Case No. 2007-04219-A8

52. We turn briefly to deal with the position of Roach. The basis of plea put forward by him was broadly accepted. In his basis of plea he said that he had no knowledge of the source of the drugs, nor did he have any involvement in their onward supply. He assisted in the preparation of the drugs at the premises to which we have referred. The cash found on him at the time of arrest was his payment. He had no knowledge that firearms were present. He also said that he assisted in the preparation on only two occasions. That was not accepted; on the evidence he was involved on at least two occasions. 53. Roach was of previous good character. He had been a cocaine addict. He had been recruited, on his account, by Hogg to work at the factory. 54. We consider that the sentence of eight years' detention passed on Roach, given his age, his involvement and his previous good character, was in the circumstances manifestly excessive. We propose therefore to grant him leave to appeal, to quash the sentence of eight years' and to substitute for it a sentence of six years' detention in a young offender institution. To that extent his appeal against sentence is allowed.