Staff called Police after suspicious behaviour
A couple used a room at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Ealing as a "cannabis shop", Isleworth Crown Court heard last week.
They stayed in the four-star hotel room for five days last February. Staff called police after they became suspicious of numerous visitors to the room.
Zafran Khan, 25, of Haven Lane, Ealing and 19-year-old Harriet Shepherd of Rosemont Road, Acton admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply it at the Hotel between February 2 and 7.
Crown Prosecutor Richard Mandel said that when officers searched the room it became clear that it was being used as a cannabis shop. Police found 92 grams of "skunk", 10g of herbal cannabis and £50 cash.
Shepherd was alone in the room when Police arrived. They then searched her bedroom in her Acton home and found cannabis worth more than £800. Khan was arrested during after he arrived back at the hotel.
Khan, who had previous convictions for possession of cannabis, was jailed for nine months. Although his defence lawyer Sarah Morris said that he had smoked cannabis over many years and dealt mainly to friends and friends of friends, Judge Recorder Grace Amakye said that he was the 'prime mover' in the case.
Shepherd was given a suspended sentence for two years. Representing her, Ghalan Ahmed said that she had left school with six GCSEs and was due to take up a place at Birmingham University. She was no longer in a relationship with Khan and apologised for her conduct.
September 5, 2008