ARREST AT POT PROTEST

A PROTESTER was arrested during a pro-cannabis demonstration after a police
raid on a cannabis cafe, Worthing Magistrates heard.

Paul Matthews, 24, of Chequers Drive, Horley, pleaded guilty to causing
harassment, alarm or distress to a police officer.

Nigel Creasy, prosecuting, said that the offence occurred during a protest
outside the police custody centre in Durrington after a cannabis cafe in
Worthing had been raided by police.

He said that up to 80 people had gathered and were "generally unhappy."

According to Mr Creasey, Matthews was abusive to police and blew a horn in
the face of one officer.

Creasy said that at one stage a demonstrator, Matthew's father, smoked
cannabis in front of officers. He said that Matthews had intervened and
told police officers that his father had a broken back and smoked cannabis
for medicinal purposes.

When police went to move another protester, Matthew's 16 year-old brother,
the defendant again intervened and swore in the face of a police officer.

Mr Creasy said that when police officers tried to arrest Matthews, he said:
"You're not arresting me. I will struggle against you."

Matthews' who represented himself, told the court that he had attended the
demonstration with his father who has a broken back, and his younger brother.

He said: "I was sticking up for my younger brother. It was something
anybody would have done. They shouted and screamed at us, provoking us to
shout and scream back.

"I was told to shut up and move backwards otherwise they would arrest me
and spray me with mace." He added: "We are all placid people."

Matthews was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay
costs of UKP 55.