Goodman v R.

Facts

The applicant, Stephanie Goodman, a woman in her mid forties with no previous convictions, ran a slimming clinic and owned a number of houses. Her husband, Bharat Lukha, known as 'Barry', an electrician by trade, also let out properties. On 16 November 2006 police discovered a hydroponic cannabis cultivation plant at a bungalow in Eastern Avenue, Pinner, which the applicant owned; the husband's nephew, Linesh Lukha, had been arrested that day in a car belonging to the husband containing signs of cultivation. Police then found further cultivation paraphernalia in a van in which the applicant and her husband were leaving the matrimonial home, and on a later search of that home found a small quantity of cannabis, a tenancy agreement letting the bungalow to two men named Fernandez and Perreira, and a bogus identity card in the applicant's handbag. She was arrested and, after initially being refused representation by ALH & Co on conflict grounds, instructed that firm in December 2006 and remained with it until after conviction. Her case throughout was that she had let the bungalow to tenants and knew nothing of the cultivation. Proceedings against the husband were discontinued before the magistrates; Linesh was acquitted on a submission of no case. The applicant was convicted at Harrow Crown Court before Her Honour Judge Dangor on 18 September 2008 of permitting the use of her premises for the cultivation of cannabis, and sought leave to appeal.