AN Ipswich man who ran for the Legalise Cannabis Party during local elections has been fined for possessing the drug.John Ramirez, 37 of Faraday Road, pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cannabis resin following lengthy and costly legal arguments at Ipswich Crown Court.
AN Ipswich man who ran for the Legalise Cannabis Party during local elections has been fined for possessing the drug.
John Ramirez, 37 of Faraday Road, pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cannabis resin following lengthy and costly legal arguments at Ipswich Crown Court.
Ramirez's home was raided by 14 police officers on June 5 and 1.32 grams of cannabis valued at about £5 was found. Ramirez, who is married with an eight year old son, questioned the law under the Human Rights Convention and a day-long legal argument was undertaken.
As a result Judge Peter Thompson, found that the Human Rights Act had not been contravened and Ramirez changed his initial not guilty plea to that of guilty.
The Crown Prosecution Service claimed the cost of the legal argument totalled almost £2,000 and that Ramirez, a musician and performing arts student, should pay.
Judge Thompson ruled that Ramirez had insufficient funds to pay the full amount, he fined Ramirez £100 to be paid within 14 days or face seven days in prison.
He also ordered him to pay a further £300 towards prosecution costs.
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