This is a scandal, Tom is being made an example of by the very (too) efficient yet ignorant d & c police, Plymouth has been robbed of the 2 and only 2 superclubs (warehouse and d a) its ever had.

still as long as innocent people like dear flo seccombe & the like keep getting killed on the streets and people are getting beaten up on the streets every night in plymouth city center then alls good hey coppers?

George Michael on Two occasions in clearly smashed on crack GHB Crystal meth gets a ride home from sycophant police officers which sets no example.
A few grand donated to the police fund and top lawyers pulling strings gets him off.
One law for the celebrity and draconian law enforced on a the Plymouth Two this case is a travesty of justice brought about by fear by the media government authorities.
Time to protest for what you feel is right! Its time the authoritarians realise this approach will not work!
They are in high fear mode more than ever hence the lengthy punishment the justice system is totally corrupt here in the undemocratic UK hoodie's can go out and take a life and get the same punishment a few years in jail
About time our bankrupt government got tough on real crime lawless people carrying using a knife will get those off with cautions or a few months jail
Use your voice to protest Now
Crack Smack Cocaine, alcohol abuse create misery social problems This is where the authorities need to
focus more manpower.....On the other hand E brings out the best in people creates harmony joy peace rather than hate fear anger
E is here to stay part of our culture if people choose to take this harmless drug that should be downgraded to class B its their choice.
Protest against injustice now!

I have just heard about this really as I live in Thailand now but back in the UK for 2 weeks. Had heard a rumour but shell shocked to hear someone who was not even a director can be held responsible for what happens in a club. And I have known and worked with Tom for about 15 years and am devastated for him. I saw him last year in Ibiza, he had picked himself after some bad personal stuff, and was on glowing form.

The judge in this case SURELY has no idea about the law-an appeal would certainly I would have thought overturn this conviction, but I don't know if that process has already started-I can only hope it has.

Haven't we heard it all before. YES WE HAVE-MANY TIMES. It has to be, to sentence someone who was not even dealing, a sentence like this is beyond comprehension.

We all know the worst incidences inside and outside clubs and bars happen at the Corporate owned night clubs where people get drunk and want to fight. We have all seen that on the TV a zillion times. Drunk up chavs fighting the police or anyone who gets in their way. They smash shop and car windows. They are out and out vandals that cost more police and hospital hours than even a football match- our crowds cost them nothing. They don't do that shit. So why aren't the police raiding these clubs where they know alcohol abuse is blatant, and prosecute THOSE club managers who allow it so they can show bigger profits week in week out. There is NEVER violence in our clubs-and the police and society should be applauding our clubbers for NOT costing the tax payer millions of pounds in wasting police time-all those wankers get is an on th spot £50 found-just to go out and do the same next week.

Tom, we have been mates a long time-I hope this nightmare comes to an end soon.

As has been said before on the facebook group, Tom and Manoucehr are innocent and do not deserve the harsh sentences handed down by a judge that is clearly out of touch with society and club culture.

Tom and Manoucehr - I thank you both for running a great club where I had the best nights of my life and saw some great DJ's.

DA was the best club I have ever been to with an atmosphere and vibe that was truly unique. In the years when I went there between 1999 - 2003 I saw no trouble, no fights just happy friendly people enjoying the night, living for the moment and dancing the stress of the week away.

I hope the appeals go successfully and swiftly so you can get back to your families.

Thanks to Mixmag for having the balls to start this campaign!!

I'm shocked by this case. Regardless of the details of the case, the point is that people's lives are being needlessly ruined in the name of a pointless 'War on Drugs'.

Thousands of British young people given criminal records for drug possession offences have also had their life chances undermined in the name of the same 'War'. Electronic dance music scenes have been the focus of criminalisation all over the world (not least with the RAVE act in the US, which also prosecutes club owners, managers, staff etc, if drug dealing occurs within their venues, yet EDM clubs often have the lowest rates of inter-personal violence in city-centres.

Stop treating EDM clubbers as criminals, and stigmatising any young people who happen to like a four/four beat!

Fingers crossed for the appeal, and thanks to Mixmag for highlighting this issue,

Dr Karenza Moore (Lecturer in Criminology; Club researcher), Lancaster University)

Thanks God someone is doing something. About time, we stopped all the injustice. In my college everyone uses drugs and all my mates sell and buy stuff, but non of my colleagues get sentenced to jail, neither do the management. Can someone show me a club where no drugs are used! PLEASE lets all join to get the two innocent guys out of jail...

I meant to thank you for the campaign... I think it takes guts to do something like this. I am going to start my own campaign now. What a brilliant idea this was... thanks once again. Sharon

WELL DONE FOR THIS INITIATIVE. MANOUCHER WAS JUST THE CLUB OWNER, AND FREE TOM. NEITHER HAVE EVER SOLD ANY DRUGS TO ANYONE. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON.
WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS I FELT SICK. SURELY EVERYONE CAN SEE THEY ARE NOT GUILTY. WHO ARE THEY KIDDING? SO THEY DECIDED TO JAIL INNOCENT PEOPLE "TO TEACH OTHER CLUB OWNERS"??? HOW REALLY VERY RIDICULOUS!!!
KIND REGARDS
JAFAR

I hope these two can be free from that unjust sentence.

This country need people like you who can see better and judge with their knoledge properly.

I was shocked to read this story, so shocked in-fact that I had to go over it again to make sure it was real. Myself and a group of mates organize and play at our own club nights in our spare time, to think that we could be arrested, let alone given a prison sentence for organizing / playing at a night where people we have never seen before are taking / selling drugs is beyond comprehension.

How the Judge in this case has managed to come his decision beggars belief and makes me ask the question "does he live in the real world?".

Hope all goes well with your appeal and that common sense prevails!

Dan B, Essex.

Sorry but I agree that the place should remain closed. There is NO place for drugs of any sort in our society and until the youngsters realise this the place should remain firmly shut.

I see many people spaced out when leaving the place so about time this was rectified with a new start of complete closure.

If the Police and law makers woke up and read the reports they would re class E anyway. Does anybody think that if alcohol and cigarettes where invented tomorrow they would be legal? No way they would go straight to class A, 14 year olds drinking £5.00 worth of cider bought illegally from tescos, get drunk go and trample over someones car, stab the owner who dies, leaves a wife and two kids. The 14 year old wont do 3 years inside. Go organise a rave, earn a living pay your taxes, watch some clubbers have a awesome night, no trouble no fighting, what happens?? Get sent to the nick. Total utter shite. Im 38 years old, dont forget the police are following the councils order, everyone 18 years or older has the right to vote, hold you local government candidate to his word on this, if he doesnt agree vote against. Every last one of us can make a stand on this. Dont let it go to waste.

Your comments are a joke mate, get out in the real world and take a walk down your high st at 2.00 am in the morning. Stand outside wetherspoons, Chicagos or the many other cheap drinking establishments and see if you get a good kick in. Ask any doorman or bouncer what they prefer, pissed up or pilled up. You comments basically condemn every pub to closure, every supermarket to have a blanket ban on selling alcohol as it is way more volatile than any E. As for calling clubbers "youngsters", you have to over 18 to get into the club, im 38 years old and a long way off from being the oldest there. Take a big reality check mate, and god help your off spring.

Sorry to hear about this outrageous move by the authorities. My thoughts go out to their close friends and family. Hope the appeal goes well!

I have just read your comment about keeping the Dance Academy closed because "Drugs were sold in there" You are a fool. Every pub and club in the land contains people who take drugs, there may be an odd exception in rural areas, but in major cities it is rife. I too wish that drug use could be wiped but in reality it will never happen. I am appalled that the management of a club has been jailed especially after Manouch offered to pay for police to be on the door. The Judge said they didn't try hard enough to eradicate drug use.If that was the case the police should also be charged with the same offence because they refused to help.The Judge is a puppet of the council, it had nothing to do with drugs and everything to do with getting possession of the building, but in the mean time innocent people are behind bars and lives are being torn apart. MixMag i appeal to you to canvase the big names in the music industry to get behind you in this appeal because if it is allowed to stand who will be next? Judge Jules? Tiesto? Oakenfold? the mind boggles FREE THE PLYMOUTH TWO ASAP

thats like local authorities going to prison because people take drugs in council houses. a club owner (or anyone else) cant ensure people wont get drugs into the place and sell/take them. people do what they want whether its against the law or not and so how is it anyones fault?

Can not believe this - this is shocking shocking shocking and so wrong - They wanted us out of the feilds and in the clubs - so we went - and that to is now under threat! well done for bringing this to everyones attention and starting this appeal. our love and thoughts and support to all

when goverments and "big" pigs will leave us... with hope from russia

free the two how about a peacefull protest outside the Dance Acadamy!! its not illeagal to protest peacfully although i am fully aware that devon and cornwall police will not know what to do cos i know if the thousands of people who visited the DA would to turn up and stand outside and reqest action for the two the police would stay away for fear of provocation, come on its not rocket science if the police thought for one minute about it the raid would have taken place a week earlier why did they raid it on its quietest nite of the year, cos only 1 week earlier it was packed to the ratfers 3 floors jumping TIDY BOYS big nite out.....some one please lets not just sit back anymore its time to help the two amamzing men who deserve to be freed. I here pasha in london saw the same action as plymouths Dance Acadamy and there doors reopen on 10th october its time to stand up and be counted i for 1 will lead the protest....

If the judge can say that they did not do enough to stop the sale within their clubs then the whole prison service should be brought before the same loony of a judge, every day we read reports of drugs rife when they are behind bars, i can believe there would be more and harder drugs passed abvout in prison than the sale of a few e tablets within the nightclubs...

if anybody is interested in an organized protest outside of the Dance Acadamy prior to the court of appeal hearing these appeals please dont hessitate to contact me @ stephybaby2008@hotmail.co.uk lets show our support

Another message of support from us here at QUADRASONIC. Could indeed be any of us facing the same harsh tactics. All the best for the appeal.

I know there is a club closed down reciently in london . does anybady know anything about that club like name or what date has been close and what was the motive would some one help me with that please.... THANK YOU
don't forget my thoughts and prayers for two innocent plymouth men

What a joke this sentence is from th council, apart from its really not funny, and terryfying that it is serious. How can they jail someone for playing music, it should be the dealers and individuals who are responsible.

To be fair though the only reason they care is cos, it aint a taxable drug like alcohol that makes the government money and even if it was it wouldnt make much money, whereas when people drink they spend lots of money, which is more money in the governments pocket.

Freedom, wt freedom?

These two are innocent. The club clearly went out of its way to stop people dealing drugs within the premisis even offering to pay police to stand outside!! What more could they have done?

Pete Dochaty, Amy Winehouse... not to mention countless other celebs (including PM's) admitting to taking drugs in autobiographies and nothing gets done!!

What have these pair actually done to warrant any sentance let alone such a harsh one? This jude has let people walk free for severly serious crimes. How can this be justified?

Free them!

When out and about in Manchester I find it surprising that very few people know about this case. Ever pub/bar/club owner/drinker/clubber needs to know - IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU! The appeal should make for very interesting listening. Peace and love to their families and friends. xx

Point well made.

Sera your comment is true I have been in that club and I have seen myself how they have searched the others for drugs. what else should they have done I don't know.
most people know they both are innocent and wronfully been sentenced
NOT QUILTY PLEASE RELEASE THEM.

Hi stephy and thank you for what you are doing for Manocher and Tom.
I am going to London on 29th of Oct to show my support to both man in front of the court which the appeal will take place and I am hoping to see as many people as possible so they all hear our voices and hopfully this time JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED.
PEACE BE WITH THEM

Just wanted to add my support for "the two". I went to Dance Academy for a few years while i was down that way. It was an amazing place. The judgements made are totally unacceptable. I'm really hoping that common sense prevails. It really shows what a sham our so called justice system is. All the trouble i ever saw in plymouth was due to alcohol! never had any problems in DA

Bring back Dance Academy and the two :-)

Used to visit DA on a regular basis and can hand on heart say I had the best nights of my life in there, but you can walk 2 mins up the street and go in to jesters or some hole like that get kicked shitless by some pissed up thug but thats ok because drink and ciggies are a good earner for the goverment!!! True or not? think u find its true!
We now have to travel the length of the country sometimes now to have a good night like we were used to be able to do in our own town, plus a club owner and manager how the hell can they have eyes everywere in the club surely that is down to the security team in the club, Please release these 2 innocent decent blokes and lets re-open the best club that has ever exsisted in the South West

Surely by now, the justice system has wised up to the fact that people attending/running clubs like these aren't hardened criminals and evil-doers like they though in the Criminal Justice Act days.
Ridiculous.
Here's me adding my support for the two. Hang in there!

Disgusting. That's all u can say really. It's all been said here already, but we need a petition. Looks like corruption on the part of the council who wanted the Academy.

On reading this I was left wondering whether the recently reported 58% rise in serious violence in Plymouth was as direct result of this club (and a similar one) being closed down, presumably pushing revellers away from ecstasy in the direction of alcohol, or whether this is because the local police are too busy trying to pay-off their mortgages through targeting the easy captures that non-violent drug users make rather than attempting to make the streets safe for the rest of us.
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/SHOCK-RISE-VIOLENCE/article-546519-...

In my job I sometimes have to take students on court visits and I am always struck by the number of ‘junkies’ gouching around chambers. I would assume Plymouth Crown Court is no different in this respect, and I am frankly puzzled as to why judges who think that nightclubs can keep drugs out of their premises are so patently unable to do so from their own place of work. The precedent set by this case surely should also have repercussions for the likes of Judge Francis Gilbert QC himself. Would nine years be a fit punishment for him, or further a waste of us taxpayer’s money? Maybe not!

Alasdair Forsyth: Substance Use & Violence Researcher

having read as much information as i could find on the case, i was and still am beside myself that any court anywhere in the world could have made such a decision which not only diminishes all human rights issues, but just as importantly destroys the very foundation that we are responsible for our own actions. How could these two be convicted when they themselves did not participate, endorse or encourage the sale or taking of drugs. How could the jury find these men guilty of "permitting" when there was no evidence or proof that either of them were guilty of such charges???? Sadley, the judge applied a sentence which is not even relevant to the charges!!!!! how does that work???? Is this imperial England at its best????? One can only wonder when a police officer says "i could tell they were on drugs from their eyes" obviously he/she was the one on drugs, because it is physically impossible to distinguish between drug &/or alchohol affects.Furthermore, how close did they get into the patrons faces to distinguish the effect, and what sort of medical training did they have to make that distinction? I wonder if they arrested the alleged person/s who alledgedly offered to sell them drugs????? where did these draconians acts of prejudice come from???? what was the real issue/s behind this unjust and inhumane victimization of these two? Has the council proceeded to close every other nightclub and drinking establishment? has the police put under survailance every other club in Plymouth or all of the UK for that matter???? How many other owners and promoters in the UK have met with the same fate???? why hasn't the powers of whitehall given the rumblings of injustice a shake soloud and stern that this may never be repeated.
Is justice truly blind? maybe it just chooses to be? How sad that such a facist action has not been reversed to protect the very fabrick of society that is today supposed to be free.... only Hitler could have gotten away with something like this, how sad that others just like him are still in positions of power.

Stand tall my friends, our thoughts and prayers are with you, justice will be yours, and those facists will be shown for what they truly are....