A Rastafarian priest caught with a kilo of cannabis claimed he had the drug for spiritual purposes.
Awaiting sentence - Pablo Romeo Kensmil at Colchester Magistrates' Court 40748-2
Pablo Romeo Kensmil, 43, admitted possessing £2,600 of herbal cannabis when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court.
Customs and Excise, prosecuting, said Kensmil had been stopped when he arrived at Harwich port from the Hook of Holland on the morning of January 7.
Kensmil, who appeared in court in a bright blue robes, had been arrested and cautioned, and in interview said the drugs were for his own use and were part of his religious beliefs.
He said he was aware drugs were not allowed in the UK but questioned if cannabis was a drug, as his religion said it was natural and could be used for spiritual purposes.
Russell Haldane, mitigating, said Kensmil, who lived in Slough with his partner the empress, was recognised as being an emperor and was often given gifts. He said the case was "entrely exceptional" and Kensmil was of previous good character.
District Judge David Cooper said: "He probably wouldn't want me to find being Rastafarian an exceptional circumstance."
The judge said it was "splendid mitigation" but added that every now and again, the courts had a 'painful duty' to do.
He ordered pre-sentence reports on Kensmil and gave the priest unconditional bail until February 17 so he could "carry on his good work in the church".
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Published Friday, January 28, 2005
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