free man yesterday after a judge directed a jury to return not guilty verdicts.

Lloyd Adolpus Clacken, of Spanish Point, appeared in Supreme Court for trial on Monday and pleaded not guilty to a charge of importing cannabis and a charge of possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

The trial finished yesterday -- after most of the hearing was taken up with legal submissions over whether certain statements could be allowed as evidence.

Yesterday Mr. Clacken's lawyer, Archie Warner, said Puisne Judge Norma Wade ruled the statements should not be allowed in court. The Crown offered no further evidence in the case.

As a result, said Mr. Warner, the judge called the jury back into the court room and directed them to return not guilty verdicts on the charge of importing cannabis and the charge of possession of cannabis with intent to supply.