Group crowdfund court fine for cannabis user

Thursday 27 August 2020

A group of Guernsey people have decided to crowdfund a £600 fine, which was handed to a taxi driver in the Magistrate's Court this week after he was caught with five grams of cannabis.

Henry Hulme appeared in court on Monday, having pleaded guilty to one count of possessing the Class B drug.

During his mitigation, Advocate Oliver Fattorini highlighted the "selfless" good deeds the defendant carried out during lockdown, which have sparked the crowdfunding group's actions.

While restrictions were at their height, Hulme used his role as a taxi driver and essential worker to help people by delivering groceries and prescriptions to them, free of charge. Although restrictions have now been lifted, Hulme has continued offering his services for free by delivering produce to those who are in self-isolation following travel.

After reading about the case on Express, some commenters suggested members of the public donate what they can towards the fine, to "give back" to Hulme after his lockdown efforts.

Pictured: Henry Hulme spent time delivering groceries for free during lockdown.

"Can we crowd fund Henry's fine?" Hayley Le Maitre commented. "This is so unfair. He's an amazing person to the community."

Leyla responded: "What an amazing idea Hayley! Let’s give back some of the love Henry shared with us during our difficult times".

Many others agreed to pay what they could, with some also taking the opportunity to criticise the island's current laws on cannabis possession.

"It's ideas like this that change perspective," Jamie commented. "I mean how many people that aren't even users would voluntarily donate to this? Many non-users still see the absolute nonsense the current laws create (loss of jobs, family homes raided, travel prospects, the list goes on)."

After reading through the comments supporting her idea, Ms Le Maitre decided to share Hulme's story across social media, encouraging members of the community to send donations to him via online payments system, PayPal.

Pictured: Guernsey residents could soon be able to get legal prescriptions for medicinal cannabis from the UK.

"I was very upset to see Mr Hulme receive such a fine for something that is currently set to be debated in the States," she said. "£600 is a lot of money.

"He has done a tremendous amount for the people of Guernsey during lockdown and continues to do so for those self-isolating. He has taken time out of his day and money of his own to deliver to those self-isolating.

"Myself and others would like to thank him to the tune of the £600 for all he does for this community. I would like to show my support for him for what I see as an unfair, draconian fine."

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