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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis crusader praised
South London Press
Friday 23 Jan 2004 CANNABIS campaigner Shane Collins was praised by a magistrate after a court case against him collapsed. Mr Collins, 42, of Brailsford Road, Brixton, was charged with violating the licence for the Brockwell Park Cannabis Festival. Officers from Lambeth council alleged that music was played after the watershed at the annual festival in May, and that, as the licence holder, Mr Collins was responsible. But Tower Bridge Magistrates' Court heard the music was only played for one minute and 25 seconds after the festival ended when two youths jumped up on the stage. District Judge Ann Sawetz said: "The man in the South London Tent [where the music was played] said he permitted the record to be played because he thought the situation might turn nasty. I think on the evidence I heard that Mr Collins ran a very tight ship. Mr Collins took care and attention and took a very responsible attitude and that was echoed in the way his staff dealt with the situation. One does wonder why this case was brought." Mr Collins was found not guilty and awarded UKP30 costs at the court on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the council said residents had been disturbed on the night. She said: "We promised them we would act and we did. We have to balance the rights of people who organised events like this in the park and the residents." After the hearing, Mr Collins said the case had been a waste of time and of taxpayers' money. Lambeth council said it paid a barrister UKP1,000 to represent the authority in the case. --=======482D3A65=======--
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