Law student fined for drug

Press, 11 May 1977, Page 7

Law student fined for drug

Laws could be changed through the force of public opinion, but in the meantime the law regarding cannabis had to be observed and respected, even though some might think it absurd, Mr B. A. Palmer, S.M. said in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. “You should know this in particular, as a student of law,” the Magistrate told Neil Francis Joseph Thinn, aged 22, a law student, who had pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing both cannabis and a pipe to smoke it, smoking cannabis, and cultivating it on a property at Diamond Harbour in January.

At the end of the defended hearing last Friday, the Magistrate had reserved his decision about convicting the defendant, and had remanded him until yesterday, when Thinn was convicted and fined a total of $325. The Court had been told that 43 cannabis plants were found growing on the property. They were described as “a joint venture between three households,” and Thinn had told the police that he took all the responsibility.

Counsel (Mr D. C. Fitzgibbon) said that Thinn, who had received good grades at university, was likely to complete his law degree this year, and the long-term effects of a conviction against him would possibly prevent his entry into the profession. j Counsel said that the posi- [ tion was not certain, but [Thinn would have to declare 1 the conviction when applying for admission to the bar, I and when applying for a situation with a law firm. This [would be likely to adversely affect his career, and might [ even prevent him from being [admitted to the bar.

There was a general changing of public opinion (towards the use of cannabis, counsel said. He referred to jan article in “The Press” on [May 5, in which Detective 1 Sergeant N. Cooke, the colordinator of the National

Drug Intelligence Bureau,

said that cannabis was not the danger it was once thought to be.

There was now no evidence to suggest that the use of cannabis led to the use of hard drugs, and the police were not out to get convictions for the use of the drug, according to the article, counsel said. “I have given careful consideration to the matter, and I feel that I cannot make a discharge without conviction in this case,” the Magistrate said. “It is a decision I regret, but as a matter of duty I must convict you.”

Regarding Thinn’s future admission to the bar, the Magistrate said that he felt sure the judge concerned would be sympathetic. “Provided you don’t offend again, I’m sure he will judge your application on your good character and your qualifications,” he said. “I am aware that there are practising solicitors who have

been convicted of this offence, and there has been no question of their being removed from the roles or any disciplinary action being taken against them.” Thinn was fined $250 on the charge of cultivation, and $75 on the charge of possessing cannabis. On the other two charges, he was convicted and discharged. (Before Mr N. L. Bradford, S.M). RAPE CHARGES The three men charged with raping a woman in Cashel Street on April 4 were further remanded to May 31 for the taking of depositions at the request of the police. Depositions were to have been heard yesterday. Wayne Morris Crump, aged 20, and Matthew' James White, aged 20. were both remanded on bail, and Darryl Ivor Wheeler, was remanded in custody to May 31.

[ Other charges against Crump and Wheeler were adjourned to the same date. Crump is also charged with the theft of goods worth $lBl, and converting a $l6OO car, and Wheeler is also charged with assaulting a woman, three charges of wilful damage, and behaving threateningly in the office of the Probation Service. CAUGHT WITH HEROIN While being interviewed by the police on two occasions about other matters, a youth was found to have a stolen watch and a small amount of low-quality heroin in his possession the Court was told. The youth who was granted interim suppression of name at the request of counsel (Mr G. R. Lascelles), pleaded guilty to charges of receiving a stolen $199 electronic watch from Bruce Maxwell Taylor, and possessing heroin. He was convicted and remanded to May 17 for a probation report and sentence.

Sergeant B. G. Saunders said that the watch was one item stolen by Taylor in a smash-and-grab raid on a city jeweller’s shop on April 7. When being interviewed by the police on another matter, the youth was asked about the watch, and admitted buying it off Taylor for $65 because he knew Taylor was desperate for money to buy drugs. Taylor had already appeared before the Court. On May 2, when the youth and another man who was a known drug user were seen going into a city block of offices, they were questioned by the police. On request, the youth produced his wallet and the police noticed folded tin foil inside his driver’s licence. The foil and white substance it contained dropped out into the policeman’s hand. On analysis, the substance was found to weigh 524 mg. It was 8 per cent pure heroin, and had been mixed with glucose. The heroin weighed 41 mg.