CONSPIRACY CHARGES FOR CANNABIS CAMPAIGNERS
Source:
News & Star, Carlisle
Pub
Date: 18 August 2005
Subj:
Conspiracy charges for cannabis campaigners
Author:
Nick Griffiths
Web
site: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/
Cited:
Legalise Cannabis Alliance http://www.ccguide.org/lca/lca.php/
Lezley Gibson http://www.ccguide.org.uk/lezleygibson.php
A
CUMBRIAN couple who stood for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance party at the
general election have been charged with plotting to supply the drug.
Mark
and Lezley Jane Gibson, of Front Street, Alston, have been charged alongside
another man with one count each of conspiracy to supply cannabis.
It is
alleged this took place between January 2000 and February 2005.
Mark
Gibson, 41, stood as a candidate for Penrith and the Border in the May election
as well as in 2001, while his wife stood in the Carlisle constituency this
year.
Lezley
Gibson, also 41, came to national attention in 2000 when she was cleared at
Carlisle Crown Court of possessing cannabis.
The
jury made its decision after hearing how she needed the drug to ease her
multiple sclerosis (MS).
In
2003, Mark Gibson shelved plans to open a Dutch-style cannabis cafe in Cumbria.
Speaking
to the News & Star after the charges were brought, he said: "I can
categorically deny selling any cannabis to anyone."
The
Gibsons, who run a shop in Alston, are co-accused of the same charge with
Marcus Peter Davies , 36, of The Grove, Warboys Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
on July 25.
They
are all due to appear before Carlisle Crown Court tomorrow .
It can
also be revealed today that Princess Diana's astrologer was arrested during the
investigations leading up to the charges.
Penny Thornton
was arrested at her home in Haslemere , Surrey, although police later decided
she was not involved in any alleged conspiracy.
Ms
Thornton, who gave Diana horoscope readings for six years, said: "I have
nothing to do with cannabis."
She
was originally released on police bail but this was later cancelled.