MEDIUM 'USES CANNABIS TO TALK TO THE DEAD'

A SPIRITUAL medium who smokes 45 UK pounds worth of cannabis a week, uses it
to "get to the other side," Norwich Crown Court heard.

Lorraine Simmons, 50, of Magdalen Strett, Norwich, was arrested for unlawful
possession of the drug during a demonstration inside Norwich Cathedral in
June.

The jury heard undercover policewoman Tracey Riddell joined the
demonstration within the cloisters and "netted" Simmons and co-defendent
Jeffrey Girling.

Both claimed they smoked the drug for religious reasons.

During yesterday's hearing, Girling, who defended himself, told the jury he
did not cosider cannabis a drug.

He said it came from a God given plant and referred the jury to verses in
the Book of Genesis in The Bible.

The 54-year-old, also of Magdalen Street, handed out literature to the jury
from the Universal Church of the Holy and Sacred Church and said it was the
anniversary of the Human Rights, although he did not know who he could thank
for that today.

Simmons and Girling denied possessing cannabis and cannabis resin.

Judge Peter Langan told the jury Girling was arguing his position was
legitimate, firstly on the religious basis, something made lawful from the
Book of Genesis, and, secondly, on the basis of Human Rights.

The jury took just a few minutes to find both guilty.

Simmons was fined ?250 UK pounds, but Judge Langan adjourned sentence on
Girling, who gave no details of income, to await a pre-sentencing report. He
was bailed until January 8 and told the sentence was likley to be community
service.

Checked-by: Don Beck