EURO MP JAILED IN CANNABIS BATTLE

AN Italian Euro MP was today behind bars in Manchester for refusing to pay
a fine for possessing cannabis.

Marco Cappato, 31, was led away in handcuffs from the dock at Stockport
court yesterday after magistrates said they had no alternative but to jail
him for seven days.

Minutes later he was put in a van and taken to Manchester Prison, formerly
Strangeways.

Cappato, from Milan, was arrested in December 2001 along with fellow Euro
MP Chris Davies for possession of cannabis.

The two Euro-MPs handed themselves in to police as part of a protest in
support of Stockport cafe owner Colin Davies.

A judge at Manchester Crown Court later fined Cappato and his fellow Euro
MP UKP100 and ordered them to pay substantial court costs, or face seven
days in prison.

Mr Davies paid the fine and costs and Cappato later paid his UKP1,335
costs, but refused to pay the fine.

Before being led away in handcuffs by two security men, Cappato - who was
dressed in a blue suit and tie - said: "I paid the costs because I do not
want to be a burden on the British taxpayer, but there needs to be a change
in the law on cannabis.

"So much money is wasted prosecuting people for tiny amounts of cannabis. I
went to the police station with a very small amount, not even enough to
make one joint, and the effect would have been less then a pint of beer.

"I am not going to pay the fine. For me the choice was clear. The decision
of the court was pay the fine or face seven days in prison."