MAN WITH 20 DRUG OFFENCES FACES PRISON

A cannabis legalisation campaigner was yesterday found guilty of
possessing and cultivating the drug.

It took a jury at Cardiff Crown Court just under 25 minutes to return
the unanimous verdicts on Neil Morgan, who claimed he was fighting for
"the right to exist".

During a two-day trial, the 53-year-old told the court he had been
growing cannabis for 30 years, and that this was the 15th time he had
appeared in court charged with such offences.

Morgan, of Heol Tawe, Ystradgynlais, South Wales, denied two charges
of possessing cannabis and two charges of cultivating the Class C drug
but was found guilty of all offences.

Judge Philip Richards told the jury in summing up: "We cannot live in
a society where everyone is free to say: 'My view is that the law is
irrational'.

He warned Morgan to expect to be jailed when he is sentenced later
this month following a pre-sentence report, adding: "I'm not promising
you anything. The likely sentence is going to be a custodial sentence."

Morgan's home in Heol Tawe, Ystradgynlais, South Wales, was raided by
police officers on July 17 and December 19 last year.

On the first occasion, police found 148 cannabis plants and 314.24g of
herbal cannabis.

In the second raid, officers found 104 cannabis plants, and 328.6g of
cannabis leaves and small flowering buds from the plants. Gardening
tools and growing equipment were found on both occasions.

In police interviews, Morgan said all of the cannabis seized was for
his personal use.

Morgan, who represented himself, told the jury during the trial: "You
are all aware of the fact I grow cannabis, there is no doubt about
that. I have to accept in law that I am guilty on that point.

"I'm fighting for the right to exist, no more than
that."

The court heard he had a total of 20 previous drug offences.