A Rastafarian who is using the European human righ

A Rastafarian who is using the European human rights laws to try and escape a cannabis dealing rap was back in court today.

(mon)

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind since the European Convention on Human Rights was incorporated into UK law, Rasta Brown, 38, (corr) claims he is entitled to sell and smoke marijuana under Article 9 of the act.

Brown, 39, initially pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply at magistrate’s court.

He then applied to change his plea to not guilty after the European Convention on Human Rights came into effect in October this year.

But Brown will now wait a week to hear if his plea is accepted in a week’s time, a court heard.

Judge Charles Gibson postponed a decision on whether to accept the plea at Inner London Crown Court today (Mon) due to technical reasons.

The judge said more time was needed as a full transcript of Brown’s original police interview only became available to the court at a late stage.

If he accepts the plea, then Brown will stand trial in around two months time, the court heard.

Judge Gibson said: ‘In covering this somewhat novel territory it seems to me sensible to look at a variety of matters so I can exercise my discretion on
that basis.

‘

Brown, of Stockwell will appear at a further hearing at Inner London Crown Court on 11 December.

ends

mmmm