Latest defendant in Operation Carnival sentenced

10/11/2006

Shaun Banfield was yesterday sentenced at Derby Crown Court to four and a half years' imprisonment.

He received three and a half years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, plus thirty months to run concurrently for the supply of Class A drugs.  He was also sentenced to a further twelve months for burglary and three months for theft, to run concurrently with that sentence.

"The sentencing of Shaun Banfield marks the conclusion to the latest in a long line of successful prosecutions against those involved in Operation Carnival" said Michael Parker, the lawyer in the case. 

"This has been, and continues to be, a complex operation.  Already we've prosecuted over fifty defendants, all charged with a variety of drug related offences.  We've worked closely with the police throughout the investigations to ensure that on each occasion we had sufficient evidence to present a strong and compelling case before the court. 

"It's important to remember that supplying illegal drugs to users also has an effect on other crimes in the area.  Drug users often turn to crime such as burglary, car crime and shoplifting to fund their habit.  We are determined to continue working with the police to ensure we play our part in keeping drugs off the streets of Derby.  The conviction and sentencing of Shaun Banfield sends out a clear message to anyone thinking of supplying drugs that, wherever possible, the CPS will prosecute and bring you before the courts."