Prosecuting Advocate Phoebe Cobb told the Royal Court that a padded envelope addressed to “James Smith” was selected for inspection by customs officers on 19 October 2023 and found to contain just under an ounce of herbal cannabis.  

In the following days a postal worker left a missed delivery slip at the stated address, and Bancroft attended Envoy House at which point he was arrested and his bag was searched revealing 0.98 grams of cannabis, a grinder, and rolling papers. 

His phone was also seized, and he disclosed his pin code, with evidence of him arranging the importation days before the package arrived found.  

Officers also found that he had arranged for an early importation through the same individual, for an ounce of a different strain of cannabis, but this went through undetected by customs. It was consistent with the cannabis found in the bag and he was charged with a further count of importation.  

Bancroft only told police that the drugs were for personal use, and no evidence of dealing was discovered on his device. The prosecution therefore didn’t request a drug trafficking investigation.  

Advocate Steven Balmer, defending, said Bancroft was sincerely regretful and remorseful, accepting the crimes were serious and there would be “consequences for his actions”. 

Pictured: Just under two ounces were imported. 

He said there was no proven intent to supply or accrue profit from the drugs and argued that while the quantity of the drugs on the island had increased there was little risk of that cannabis finding its way into the wider community. 

Bancroft has also been “neither obstructive nor evasive” during investigations, entering early guilty pleas. 

He moved to the island from the UK earlier that year and was holding down two jobs, with positive references speaking of his work ethic handed to the court, Advocate Balmer added.  

Bancroft “used cannabis as a crutch” due to underlying mental health issues experienced throughout adolescence, he added, but after his arrest had engaged repeatedly with local therapy and counselling services to appropriately treat his problems. 

Judge Fooks said the infamous Richards guidelines must be followed in drug importation cases, imposing a three-year starting point due to multiple infringements and the abuse of the postal system. 

But his cooperation with the investigation, his youth, the fact he had no previous convictions, a proven work ethic, and a willingness to engage with support services meant he “should be given a chance to settle down int he community,” she said. 

“The island does not welcome those who import drugs,” she said. But she added that he has “another chance to make that fresh start”. 

She ordered him to pay the fine within a week and said there wouldn’t be a second chance if even one hour of community service was missed. 

Forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and mobile phone was also granted.