Courts / Cork / Report
British man found onboard boat holding over €400m worth of cocaine loses conviction appeal
Summary
Christopher Wiggins, a British citizen residing in Spain, has lost his appeal against a conviction for possession of cocaine for sale or supply. Wiggins pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in November 2008 after 1.9 tonnes of cocaine, valued at over €400 million, were discovered on the vessel 'Dances With Waves' 250km off the Irish coast. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on May 8, 2009. In May, Wiggins, representing himself, moved to appeal his conviction. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Seán Ryan alongside Mr Justice Gerard Hogan and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, dismissed the appeal. The court held that Wiggins could not reopen his guilty plea, which he entered with full legal advice and in exchange for a reduced sentence. Mr Justice Ryan noted that Wiggins had not demonstrated that his plea was invalidated by erroneous advice, failing to surmount the high threshold required. The judge acknowledged the case's complexity, including potential legal issues regarding the vessel's boarding, but ruled that Wiggins had waived the possibility of acquittal by pleading guilty. Co-accused Philip Doo, a British citizen from Devon, withdrew his appeal before proceedings commenced. The matter was concluded with the dismissal of Wiggins' appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: British man found onboard boat holding over €400m worth of cocaine loses conviction appeal. Charges or matters: possession of cocaine for sale or supply. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 5 2008 Incident
- May 8, 2009 Incident
- 2015-07-31 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possession of cocaine for sale or supply (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Wiggins was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Mr Justice Carroll Moran on May 8, 2009.; dismissed the appeal
Co Accused
Places mentioned
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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