NARCOTICS CHARGE

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33112, 30 December 1972, Page 17

NARCOTICS CHARGE

Examination for detention

A young man appeared for sentence in the Magistrate’s! . Court yesterday on eight charges I involving false pretences, pos- ' i session of the narcotic cannabis, j and breach of probation. i Mr K. H. J. Headifen. S.M., ordered Geoffrey Arthur Procter. aged 21, unemployed (Mr |R. B. Leete), to be medicallv j examined for a possible sentence iof periodic detention. The Magistrate told Mr Leete that he had a term of six months periodic ■detention in mind if Procter is ; found fit. The sentence would be accompanied by 12 months I probation. Mr Leete submitted that the • cannabis found in Procter’s pos- ; session had been only a small ; amount —enough to fill less than

a teaspoon. Proctor’s Devious offences had all involved “hard” drugs, and he had not appeared before on charges involving cannabis. He had given up hard drugs after seeing their effects on friends.

The five charges involving false pretences and one of an attempted false pretence involved only about $3O. Mr Leete said. Only two of the charges arose from the tendering of cheques which Procter had signed himself. ■ Procter seemed to be maturing. said Mr Leete. He was ; almost certain to be given em.nlovnient if granted his liberty.' and had plans to study for the. University Entrance examination ’ next year.

Counsel suggested a deferred; : sentence to give Procter an in- • centive to stay out of trouble. to ; ’pay the restitution of $29.95 sought by the police, and to • clear his personal debts. I