Cannabis supplying charges dismissed

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33778, 26 February 1975, Page 4

Cannabis supplying charges dismissed

G’V.Z, Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, February 25. Charges against a 23-year-old electrician of supplying cannabis to three children aged five, eight and ten have been dismissed by Mr D. B. Pain, S.M., in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court.

Bruce Roger Gaw denied : the charges, but admitted [another of possessing the ■ drug on December 29. He was convicted and re- ; manded to March 3 for mediIcal and probation reports, and sentencing. The 10-year-old told the Court of puffing on a cigari ette given to him by Gaw. It was not an ordinary cigarette, but a rolled one. The boy said he “felt good” after having the puff. His sister and brother also had puffs, he said. When shown a buddha [stick of cannabis by the prosecutor, Sergeant T. J. McGreevy, witness said he had seen defendant with them before.

At the time, he and his brother and sister were living with their mother at Gaw’s place. The eight-year-old said Gaw had given him a puff on a cigarette “rolled up in white paper.”

. The was shown a buddha stick in court, and said lie had seen Gaw putting bits of it in a tobacco tin. The witness demonstrated to the court how the buddha stick was unwrapped. He also identified a key ring “roach clip” belonging to Gaw. And said it was used “for smoking when it (the cigarette) gets really small.” I'he live-year-old witness was dismissed when she could not promise to tell the truth. She said her mother had told her not to sav anything in court. Mr Pain said it was “regretable,” but evidence could not be taken from her.

The father of the children! [said that since January, 1974, he! and his wife were friendly with j Gaw. The defendant had offered him and his wife a “joint”-to; ! smoke, and suggested it would I help them relax, as their! I marriage was “cracking up.” As a result of what his child-; ten had told him. he complained to the police about Gaw. Detective Senior-Sergeant! James Brown said cannabis and I cigarette butts in Gaw's possession amounted to 2.37 grams. He spoke to Gaw about smoking cannabis, and Gaw said he< regarded the law as “stupid' 1 and would continue smoking it. Gaw allegediv told him he felt > smoking cannabis was harmless, I I but regarded tobacco smoking as a bad habit. When asked what he would, do if he could not get cannabis,; defendant said he “would drink milk.” Gaw felt milk and can- > nabis were the same “becatlse they are both good for you.” Dismissing the supplying charges. Mr Pain, said, “It is n ell recognised that an offence relying on the testimony of children is frequently difficult to; prove. It is even more difficult; when the children are reluctant to give an account of what has; happened” He said the children remembered having puffs, but could not sav when. Their evidence did not prove that it took place on: the date alleged bv the police. I