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| Drill rapper Digga D jailed for supplying cannabis | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Digga D was sentenced via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs where he has been held in custody | Digga D was sentenced via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs where he has been held in custody |
| A leading UK drill star has been jailed for three years and 11 months for supplying 99lbs (45kg) of cannabis. | A leading UK drill star has been jailed for three years and 11 months for supplying 99lbs (45kg) of cannabis. |
| Digga D, whose name is Rhys Herbert, was arrested at his property near Lincoln in the early hours of 21 February 2024 while broadcasting on Instagram Live. | |
| Herbert, of Lonsdale Road in Notting Hill, London, pleaded guilty in May to two charges relating to the importation and supply of cannabis. | Herbert, of Lonsdale Road in Notting Hill, London, pleaded guilty in May to two charges relating to the importation and supply of cannabis. |
| However, the 24-year-old denied being involved in commercial sale of up to 132lbs (60kg) of the Class B drug at Lincoln Crown Court but the basis of his pleas were not accepted. | However, the 24-year-old denied being involved in commercial sale of up to 132lbs (60kg) of the Class B drug at Lincoln Crown Court but the basis of his pleas were not accepted. |
| During a two-day trial of the issue, known as a Newton Hearing, in December, Judge Simon Hirst decided on the level of Herbert's drug dealing. | During a two-day trial of the issue, known as a Newton Hearing, in December, Judge Simon Hirst decided on the level of Herbert's drug dealing. |
| Passing sentence Judge Hirst said he was "satisfied" Herbert had played a significant role in supplying cannabis and had sold at least 99lbs (45kg) for a commercial profit. | Passing sentence Judge Hirst said he was "satisfied" Herbert had played a significant role in supplying cannabis and had sold at least 99lbs (45kg) for a commercial profit. |
| The judge told Herbert: "It is agreed you had a significant role on the basis you expected significant financial advantage. On occasions others were involved in the operation of returning and collecting cannabis. | The judge told Herbert: "It is agreed you had a significant role on the basis you expected significant financial advantage. On occasions others were involved in the operation of returning and collecting cannabis. |
| "The level of the offending is so serious that there must be a sentence of imprisonment." | "The level of the offending is so serious that there must be a sentence of imprisonment." |
| Digga D is one of the UK drill scene's leading artists, with his tracks getting millions of hits online | |
| The court heard Herbert had six previous convictions for 13 offences, including possession of a blade and violent disorder. He had also spent 30 months in youth detention in March 2020. | |
| Herbert followed the sentence hearing via videolink from HMP Wormwood Scrubs where he has been on remand since his arrest in February 2024. | |
| James Scobie KC, mitigating for Herbert, said: "It is very, very sad and disappointing that he has had at the very least a year of his productive working life behind bars. | |
| "He's not a danger to the public, he's actually a contributor to the public." | |
| Det Con Jacob Saville from the Metropolitan Police said the evidence gathered against Herbert was "irrefutable". | |
| He added: "Rhys Herbert has already admitted to his role in the importation and supply of large quantities of cannabis; now a Judge has reviewed all of the evidence and determined he played a significant role in this operation. | |
| "Drugs and the associated criminality they bring devastates communities and we will continue to identify and arrest those responsible who engage in this activity." | |
| Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here, external. | Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here, external. |