17/05/2007 00:00:00
UK: Caution for cannabis councillor
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A town councillor arrested for possession of cannabis says he has been
“stupid” but plans to remain in his post.
Electrician Dale Tomlinson says he does not take drugs and claims that
under a technicality he was not a councillor at the time of his arrest.
The 37-year-old, from Newgate, Beccles, was elected uncontested to
Beccles town council last Thursday after the same number of candidates
put themselves forward as the seats available. On Saturday night he was
arrested outside the White Horse pub in the town centre during a
friend's birthday celebrations.
A police spokesman said: “We arrested a 37-year-old man at premises in
New Market, Beccles, at11.30pm on Saturday May 5. He was arrested
initially on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug with intent to
supply. He was bailed for possession of a Class C drug.”
Mr Tomlinson was due to receive a police caution for possession of
cannabis on Friday
He said yesterday: “It was just a stupid minor thing. It was half an
unlit cigarette. I hadn't even smoked it. Lowestoft police called it a
herbal cigarette, that's how minor they thought it was.
“I have given up smoking for five weeks. I don't do drugs. I don't know
why I had it. I was celebrating a friend's birthday and someone gave it
to me. It wasn't even lit.”
He added: “I wasn't actually a councillor at the time as I was only
sworn in last night.”
But according to local government rules, Mr Tomlinson was a councillor
at the time of his arrest. He was co-opted on to the council last
September, and the law says that town councillors remain in post until
four days after the election, which covers the time of his arrest. After
that time the re-elected councillors take up their posts by signing the
declaration of acceptance of office, which happened on Thursday night.
Town clerk Berenice Broom said: “A councillor would be disqualified if
he or she was convicted and sentenced to not less than three months'
imprisonment without the option of a fine. I expect that the town
council will deal with the matter internally.”
The incident is not the first time Mr Tomlinson has been involved with
police. In March police were called to the area of Harvey's Bar on
Blyburgate after receiving complaints about Mr Tomlinson's behaviour,
but decided that no criminal offences had taken place and took no action.
http://www.becclesandbungayjournal.co.uk/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12561
Author:
Beccles and Bungay Journal via UKCIA
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