A MAN who smuggled drugs into the 2023 Isle of Wight Festival to sell was wearing a fake staff wristband.

Kalum Lamptey, of Swanfield Street, East London, appeared for sentencing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court after he admitted, on September 5, one count each of possessing Class A and B drugs, namely ecstasy and ketamine respectively, between June 15-18. 

A security officer spotted a group of five men suspected of dealing drugs, with all wearing fake festival staff wristbands, said Tim Devlin, prosecuting.

During a search of Lamptey's knapsack, a silver tin was found containing 48 ecstasy tablets, and 69 ketamine 'deals', with a combined street value of £1,515.

For Lamptey, 36, Annabel Hazlitt said her client had "put a large number of people in significant danger" and that he made "an incredibly stupid decision on the spur of the moment".

Lamptey has a record of 23 convictions for 48 offences.

"Despite his deeply unenviable record, he has had trauma in his life, is vulnerable and open to exploitation," Miss Hazlitt added.

When sentencing, Judge Susan Evans said: "There are many young people who attend festivals. They are vulnerable. It's very dangerous to deal drugs at them."

She imposed 21 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years — an order which included a four-month curfew by electronic tag.