The Court of Criminal Appeal has overturned the conviction and 10-year sentence of a man for possession of €250,000 worth of cannabis. A retrial was ordered in the case of Leslie White.
The three-judge appeal court, presided over by Ms Justice Susan Denham, yesterday ruled the trial judge had erred in law when he refused an application for an adjournment of the trial by Mr White (65), Green Hill Park, Lurgan, Co Armagh, who was not legally represented during the trial and conducted his own defence.
A bail application will be made by Mr White next week.
He was convicted at the Circuit Criminal Court in July 2004. In presenting the appeal, Brendan Nix SC said the trial judge had not vindicated his client's rights.