In March 2021 United Kingdom Anti-Doping was informed that prior in 2018 criminal charges had been filed agains the boxer Jack Arnfield for possession of Cannabis with intent to supply.
Previously the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) had suspended the Athlete's boxing licence in April 2018 because of the criminal proceedings. Thereupon un May 2018 the Athlete pleaded guilty and in November 2018 the Athlete received a 12 month prison sentence, which ended in November 2019.
Hereafter in Janauary 2020 the Athlete received a new professional boxing licence from the BBBofC. Following an interview in January 2022 UKAD reported in April 2022 anti-doping rule violations against the Athlete for possession and trafficking of Cannabis.
After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by UKAD.
UKAD considers that in this case there were mitigating circumstances and that there had been delays in the proceedings not attributed to the Athlete. Further UKAD considers that the principle of lex mitior is applicable retroactively because the 2021 WADA Anti-Doping Code allows a 1 year reduction based on the Athlete's early admission and acceptance of sanction.
Therefore on 25 October 2022 UKAD decides to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting backdated on the date of the BBBofC provisional suspension, i.e. on 15 April 2018.