Date: 27 May 2003
The applicant, James Robert Hewitson, is a British national, born in 1948. He owned a garage in Dorset and had business connections in Spain. He is currently serving a prison sentence.From 1994 the police suspected him of being involved in drug trafficking and handling stolen goods. They arrested him on 22 February 1995. While he was in custody, a listening device was installed at his garage premises. It remained active until 26 July 1995 when it was discovered. During Mr Hewitson’s trial on charges of conspiracy to import and supply cannabis, tape recordings made from the listening device were admitted in evidence against him. He then pleaded guilty. On 5 September 1997 he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. His appeal was dismissed on 24 September1997. He complained, under Article 8 (right to respect for private life) of the Convention, of the installation and use by the police of a covert device to record conversations at his garage.
(from the official press-release prepared by the Registry Office of the European Court of Human Rights)
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