R v Mark Dolton Blower

R v Mark Dolton Blower

The sentences for Dilworth, Hague, Menagh, and Fairclough were unduly lenient because the sentencing judge failed to sufficiently scale up the starting points to reflect the exceptionally large quantities of Class A drugs involved. The sentence for Day, though lenient, was not unduly so due to exceptional mitigation. Blower's sentence was not manifestly excessive and was within the proper range.

Parties
Prosecutor: Rex; Applicant/defendant: Mark Dolton Blower; Offender/defendant: Charles Dilworth; Offender/defendant: Michael Day; Offender/defendant: David Hague; Offender/defendant: Jamie Menagh; Offender/defendant: Jon Fairclough; Applicant: Attorney General (Solicitor General)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal and Attorney General's Reference / Court of Appeal Judgment on Sentence Appeal and Reference
Outcome
Blower's appeal dismissed; Attorney General's reference allowed in part; sentences increased for Dilworth, Hague, Menagh, and Fairclough; Day's sentence unchanged.
Legal Topics
Sentencing, Conspiracy to Supply Controlled Drugs, Possession With Intent to Supply, Attorney General's Reference, Unduly Lenient Sentences, Appeal Against Sentence
Criminal Law Sentencing Conspiracy to Supply Controlled Drugs Possession With Intent to Supply Attorney General's Reference Unduly Lenient Sentences Appeal Against Sentence

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Parties

Rex

Prosecutor

Mark Dolton Blower

Applicant/defendant

Charles Dilworth

Offender/defendant

Michael Day

Offender/defendant

David Hague

Offender/defendant

Jamie Menagh

Offender/defendant

Jon Fairclough

Offender/defendant

Attorney General (Solicitor General)

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal and Attorney General's Reference / Court of Appeal Judgment on Sentence Appeal and Reference

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the sentence imposed on Mark Dolton Blower was manifestly excessive
  2. 2 Whether the sentences imposed on Charles Dilworth, David Hague, Jamie Menagh, and Jon Fairclough were unduly lenient
  3. 3 Proper application of sentencing guidelines for large-scale Class A drug conspiracies

Ratio Decidendi

The sentences for Dilworth, Hague, Menagh, and Fairclough were unduly lenient because the sentencing judge failed to sufficiently scale up the starting points to reflect the exceptionally large quantities of Class A drugs involved. The sentence for Day, though lenient, was not unduly so due to exceptional mitigation. Blower's sentence was not manifestly excessive and was within the proper range.

Court Disposition

Blower's appeal dismissed; Attorney General's reference allowed in part; sentences increased for Dilworth, Hague, Menagh, and Fairclough; Day's sentence unchanged.

Orders

  • Blower: leave to appeal granted, appeal dismissed, sentence remains at 14 years 3 months imprisonment.
  • Dilworth: sentence increased to 9 years 9 months imprisonment.