Letter: Unjust cannabis law

Rev Paddy Benson
Tuesday 06 January 1998 00:02 GMT
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Sir: I did not wish to know the name of the young man arrested on a charge of dealing in cannabis. Learning his identity, and that of his father, told me nothing useful about the Government, its policies, its probity or any other matter of legitimate public concern.

Michael Streeter recognises (Saturday Story, 3 January) that "there are good reasons to protect juveniles facing criminal allegations". He then adds, "in cases of teenagers accused of similar offences ... and named by the media, government law officers have not stepped in and sought protective injunctions". If it is true that the media are so lacking in wisdom and compassion, then the correct conclusion is that more such injunctions should be sought, and vigorously upheld.

The Rev PADDY BENSON

Heswall, Merseyside

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