New Milton man Thomas Prior handed suspended jail term for importing herbal cannabis into the country after police intercepted it at East Midlands Airport

A New Milton man has been sentenced after trying to import drugs into the country.

Thomas Prior (35), of Pennywell Gardens, pleaded guilty to importing a class B drug when he appeared at Southampton Crown Court.

Officers intercepted 4.7kg of herbal cannabis – due to be delivered to his home – at East Midlands Airport in October 2022, the hearing was told.

Prior was also sentenced for possessing a class B drug with intent to supply.

The judge handed him a 23-month jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered he carry out 300 hours of unpaid community work.

The outcome was welcomed by PC Chris Evans, of New Milton’s neighbourhood policing team, who had led the investigation.

“He attempted to import an illegal substance into this country, with the intention of subsequently supplying it on to others,” PC Evans said.

“While the original offences themselves were more than two years ago, we remained determined to ensure Prior faced justice, and this has now happened.”

Stressing Prior would serve the remainder of his sentence behind bars if caught offending again, he also felt it served as a deterrent to others considering doing the same.

“The judge in this case told Prior that he narrowly missed a custodial sentence, and I’m hopeful that this, as well as the sentence already handed to him, will prevent him from making the same poor decisions again,” PC Evans continued.

In a message to would-be offenders, he added: “You will not get away with it and we will work tirelessly in our efforts to bring you before the courts and ensure you face prosecution.”