Judge highlights 'growing problem' of ketamine

The judge's comments came after a man was caught with cannabis and ketamine at his home

Ketamine is "becoming a problem" on the Isle of Man and a reclassification of the drug could lead to a need for an increase in the island's prison capacity, a court has heard.

Deemster Graeme Cook raised concerns about an increase in offences involving the powerful tranquiliser while sentencing a 24-year-old man.

Alexander Kinrade was caught with thousands of pounds worth of ketamine stashed in a black bin bag between two fence posts in his back garden.

Deemster Cook said he should "thank his lucky stars" ketamine was still a Class B drug, as he would have been facing several years in prison had it been reclassified.

The deemster made the comments amid a review in England of the drug's classification, which could likely see it become Class A – something he said the island would likely follow.

Douglas Courthouse heard police had searched Kinrade's home on Keppel Road, Douglas, and found two wraps of cannabis and some cash in his jacket pockets.

A further £1,940 was found in his bedroom, while a search of the garden using sniffer dogs uncovered drug paraphernalia in the shed and the black bin bag containing the two drugs hidden in the fence.

The hearing was held at Douglas Courthouse

Prosecutors told the court there were four separate wraps in it, with the largest being ketamine with a street value £5,572.

Messages on the 24-year-old's mobile phone also showed evidence of dealing both drugs between September and December.

Kinrade was on probation for previous drugs offences at the time, the court was told.

He pleaded guilty to one charge each of being in possession of cannabis and ketamine with intent to supply, and being concerned in the supply of both drugs.

He also admitted a charge of being in possession of criminal property.

The 24-year-old was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, along with a supervision order covering the same period.

Deemster Cook said lots of people looked to make "easy" money selling drugs but many "lose their liberty" by doing so, and ketamine was "becoming a problem" on the island.

The deemster said a report had indicated Kinrade was making changes in his life, so the sentence would be suspended.

"It looks like you may be turning a corner. If you're not that door will open and down you'll go," he said.

At the conclusion of the hearing, both the defence and prosecution advocates pointed out that a reclassification of the drug could see a need for more capacity at Isle of Man Prison if the rise in ketamine offences continued.