Festival host charged with 'permitting cannabis use'
On 12th March 2010. Andrew Norman, host and organiser of Thimbleberry Music Festival in County Durham, UK is due to appear in Durham Crown Court facing the charge of "permitting the use of cannabis on his premises" relating to alleged use by the festival-goers of cannabis at the last September festival. No-one was, I believe, arrested at the festival. In effect he is to be prosecuted for the alleged offences of other people, who have not themselves been charged, and whose actions were not under his control anyway.
Despite the tenuous nature of the allegations, this a serious charge. He could face jail.
The injustice of this action, that he is to be prosecuted for the actions of others, makes a mockery of the law. I, personally, believe that people should be held accountable for their own actions and that this case is a travesty of justice where one man is being held accountable for the alleged offences of people on his land.
This case has wider implications for anybody organising any kind of public event in the UK - if event organisers are to be held liable for the actions of the public at their events, then surely many events will cease to operate, particularly those operated by companies who will not wish to take the risk this case presents.
Those events which do continue will have to consider far more active 'policing' of the public at their events, an attitude which is unlikely to make people feel welcome.
The police also confiscated £3,513.70 of festival takings as 'proceeds of crime', causing obvious financial problems for Andrew and the festival.
The trial, the loss of monies, the stress and the problems that this prosecution is causing Andrew and his family has meant that the June festival has had to be cancelled and plans for the September festival are on hold with the future of the festival in severe doubt. This will be a big loss to the festival scene as it is one of only a few to be held in the North East.
I created a Facebook group to bring the facts of this case to the public, as the mainstream media have yet to give this story any coverage. The group has attracted over 15,000 supporters but that, in itself, does little to help Andrew Norman or the festival.
A link to the Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=196155751860
A link to photos from the festival:
http://www.madsnapperphotos.com/festivals/thimbleberrysep2009.index.html
A link to the festival website:
http://www.thimbleberry.co.uk/
A link to the only media coverage of the case so far:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4993937.Music_festival_is_cancelled/
Therefore, on this basis, the Gov't should prosecute itself!
of abuse,they started to back off.They caused a lot of
trouble.
Like wise the Government tried to close down the folk movement by slapping a £1000 tax on pubs that hold music
On 12th March 2010. Andy Norman, Host and organiser of Thimbleberry Music Festival in County Durham, UK was in Durham Crown Court facing the charge of "permit the use of cannabis on his premises" relating to alleged use by the festival-goers of cannabis at the last September festival. No one was arrested at the festival. At the trial the judge directed that he be found NOT GUILTY as the police offered NO EVIDENCE......
On April 13th Andy was in court again to review the festival licence. The council and police REVOKED the festival licence........ So even though he had been found not guilty and the police had no evidence the festival was still closed down.
Thimbleberry Festival in County Durham has established itself over the last seven years as a platform for unsigned bands with four stages covering genres from drum and bass to indie, jazz and reggae.It is one of the very few festivals held in the North East. It helps promote the local area and bring in much needed cash to this beautiful part of the country. It is a small, independent festival that is much loved by the many people young and old that regularly attend and has a reputation for being a safe environment for all the family.
There is a campaign under way to get the licence restored.
