Callum Lockyer of Totton sentenced for stealing £13,000 worth of medical grade cannabis from DX Network Services Limited where he worked

A PARCEL sorter “impulsively” stole a 3kg box of medical grade cannabis from the courier firm where he worked.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Callum Lockyer (28), of Haydock Close in Totton, was employed by DX Network Services, which sorts and distributes packages.

The theft happened at around 1.45am during a nightshift on 10th October 2022,, prosecutor Keely Harvey explained.

Lockyer was seen on CCTV examining a box before collecting his belongings and walking out with it on his shoulder.

Ms Keely explained the 3.2kg box of drugs, part of a larger shipment valued at £91,000, was worth around £13,000. But she added the street value was significantly “greater than that”.

The police were called and, a few days later, Lockyer was arrested on Calmore Road in Totton. He had a mobile phone and £284 in cash on him.

Analysis of his phone revealed text messages from Lockyer stating he had “taken six kilos of weed from work” and messages from others offering to buy some.

He also spoke about “running away as the police were after him”.

Lockyer was living in a tent in a friend’s garden at the time of the offence, Ms Keely said. A search for the drugs in the tent and a friend’s home was unsuccessful, but items relating to drug dealing was found.

Lockyer gave a ‘no comment’ interview, and after being shown CCTV of the theft, told police his mental health problems “does funny things to him”.

Ms Keely added the loss of the “substantial” value of the products could have had a “potentially serious impact” on the business.

The court heard the level of THC – the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis – was of high strength at 22%.

This type of drug is infrequently prescribed, according to the NHS, but can be used to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy, as well the side effects of chemotherapy and multiple sclerosis.

Lockyer pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to charges of theft by employee and possession with intent to supply a class B drug.

Defending, Stephen Tricker told the court there had been a two-year delay in bringing the case to court after Lockyer’s initial arrest, with him first appearing in court in December 2024.

He called the theft “unsophisticated” and said Lockyer had acted “impulsively”, with some of the stolen cannabis used for his own consumption, and some sold for an small but unknown amount. He added: “It can’t be said he made a king’s ransom from this offence”.

He suffered an acute brain injury as a child, the impact of which “can’t be underestimated”, Mr Tricker said, adding: “Clearly his thinking is affected by that.”

Lockyer was now a self-employed carpenter and had a “real prospect of rehabilitation”.

Judge Peter Henry handed Lockyer an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He told him: “You were working for a business entrusted to distribute, amongst other things, medical grade cannabis, when you decided to steal a box.

“I accept it was not a well-thought-out plan – I watched the CCTV and consider it an impulsive act.

“Some time between you stealing it and being stopped by police it disappeared. Either you used a considerable amount for yourself or offered some for sale [but] I cannot prove you made a huge profit out of it.”

Lockyer was also ordered to carry out 30 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Henry also ordered the mobile phone, drugs and cash be forfeited.