Ben Close & William Douglas Jones Secure Gang Sentences of Over 70 years

Ben Close and William Douglas-Jones prosecuted 6 men found guilty of exploiting Vietnamese nationals to work in cannabis farms. All 6 were convicted following a trial which lasted around 7 weeks earlier this year.

On 4th July 2025, at Birmingham Crown Court, the men were sentenced to more than 70 years’ imprisonment. The gang exploited migrants who had been trafficked into the country, with one man known only as Witness Z telling the jury how he had been trafficked across the channel in a small boat. In relation to a mobile phone used by Witness Z, a cell-site expert gave evidence that he had only seen mobile phones remaining static for so long when they had been used inside prisons. The case was adjourned for the further consideration of Serious Crime Prevention Orders and confiscation.

BBC News Case Coverage