Joseph Parker, 21, was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Douglas Courthouse on 14 June 2023 after admitting being concerned in the supply of cannabis.[1] He had pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.[1] Manx Radio named him as Joseph Christopher Parker, of Hillberry View in Onchan, and said he admitted supplying the drug between November 2021 and September 2022.[2] Parker was also made subject to a supervision order.[1] Manx Radio reported that the supervision order runs for 18 months.[2]
Parker was arrested on the morning of 3 September 2022, when police raided his father’s home in Fairfield Avenue in Onchan.[1] Manx Radio named the investigation as Operation Artemis.[2] The raid targeted his father, Christopher Parker, who was jailed for five years in November 2022 for his part in a major drug trafficking operation.[2] Manx Radio reported that his father was found with 13.5 kilos of cannabis with a street value of £288,948, and more than £33,000 in cash.[2]
Manx Radio reported that the offences that sent his father to prison were not the basis of the son’s case: officers seized his mobile phone, and analysis showed he was supplying small amounts of cannabis, frequently, to friends and associates.[2] At the April 2023 plea hearing, Manx Radio reported that the phone data showed dealing between November 2021 and September 2022.[3] Messages on his phone showed he had been doing “single digit deals” between 1 November 2021 and 3 September 2022.[1] Prosecutors said his dealing was at the “lower end of the chain” and there was no suggestion that he was involved with the larger amounts of the drug his father was jailed in relation to.[1] Isle of Man Today reported that evidence of his dealing was found on his mobile phone, along with evidence of the ordering of cannabis concentrate online.[4]
His defence advocate described the relationship between father and son as a “toxic” one, and Parker had no previous convictions.[2] Deemster Cook told him he had had an “unfortunate upbringing” but had now removed himself from the influence of his father and was “trying to get help himself”.[1] The deemster told Parker: “Through, effectively, your father’s criminality you were arrested.”[2] Deemster Cook said: “I’m giving you this opportunity because on the face of it you deserve it.”[1] Referring to the support Parker was receiving from his mother and her friend, the deemster said: “Show them you can be a better person than simply a drug dealer.”[1]