Couple caught up in cannabis arrest

Monday 14 December 2020

A young couple fell foul of the Guernsey Courts after both being caught with personal use cannabis.

George De La Mare, 24, was pulled over by Guernsey Police on 5 September and was found with 39 grams of cannabis resin.

The Crown Prosecutor said De La Mare appeared "shifty" after being pulled over during a routine check, and after searching his vehicle, police officers found cannabis resin hidden in a back panel.

De La Mare’s girlfriend, Dana-Lee Rihoy, 19, was found when officers went to their home address to conduct a search. She was caught throwing something into a hedge and ran from officers when they tried to arrest her.

After searching the area, police found a further 16 grams of resin and a grinder. 

Pictured: De La Mare narrowly avoided prison for cannabis possession. 

Advocate Chris Green, during his defense of De La Mare, argued that the amount, although not small, was only for personal use and that the defendant has sincerely apologised for his actions. 

He was said to be a man of good character, who works hard as a fisherman.

“I do not consider that incarceration is necessary," Deputy Green told the Court. 

Meanwhile, Rihoy’s age was highlighted during mitigation. She is a student and had acted through naivety, anxiety and misplaced protection of her boyfriend. Her tutor spoke very highly of her.

Both were sentenced to serve community service orders as the quantities involved were deemed, by the Court, to be too serious for financial penalties. 

De La Mare got 160 hours and Rihoy got 70 hours.

“You should never underestimate how serious your actions were,” said Judge Graeme McKerrell in sentencing.