Neil Morgan tried to defend his Right to Privacy but the Judge rejected it during a trial for cannabis cultivation, in Wales, UK

Source: Okehampton Today
Date: June 27 2007

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A WEST Wales man has been convicted of growing cannabis plants, but has vowed to fight on.

Neil Christopher James Morgan, 52, thanked the jury at Swansea crown court for finding him guilty as he could now take his case to a higher court.

Morgan said he intended to end up in the European Court of Human Rights, where he would argue that it had been illegal for the Crown to have prosecuted him.

Morgan was found to be growing 101 cannabis plants in caravans he owned and lived in amid woodland off the B4333 Newcastle Emlyn to Cynwyl Elfed road.

He felt so confident that Article Eight of the Human Rights Act guaranteed him a private life that he lit a ‘reefer’ cigarette in front of the arresting officers.

Morgan argued that, under that particular article, he was entitled to grow whatever he wished as long as no-one else became involved and that he consumed the cannabis himself.

Inspector Richard Lee had told the court how Morgan volunteered several quantities of cannabis stored in various parts of the first caravan to be searched. In two other caravans close by they found 101 cannabis plants. Each van had its own generator attached. Morgan was arrested and taken to Ammanford police station, where he refused to answer any questions.

Morgan, who represented himself during the trial, had denied a charge if cultivating cannabis on the basis that it was not illegal.

Dyfed Thomas, prosecuting, told the jury during his opening address, “Growing cannabis is illegal. That is the law in this country.” Morgan was granted bail until a sentencing hearing in July.

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