A class A drug user walked free from court yesterday after the judge ruled he should “suffer no more for dabbling in cocaine” than Michael Gove.
Judge Owen Davies QC upheld a legal argument with the defence that he should not be punished any more than the former Lord Chancellor.
Gove, who is still in the running to become the next Prime Minister, has admitted to taking the drug at parties twenty years ago.
Those caught in possession of a class A drug can be sentenced to up to seven years in prison, which Gove himself admitted he was “fortunate” to avoid.
But the defendant, who has not been named, was given a conditional discharge after suggesting “he should suffer no more for dabbling in cocaine than should a former Lord Chancellor.”
A source close to Judge Davies explained yesterday that he made the remark during legal argument with the defence, and not during sentencing.
“I think the judge was trying to make a joke rather than a political point,” the source told the Telegraph.
Tim Kiely, who represented the defendant in court, tweeted: “Who says humour and justice don’t mix?”
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
