Improper police behaviour’ disputed

Press, 29 March 1980, Page 5

Improper police behaviour’ disputed

The Crown did not accept] that an undercover constable; had acted improperly when: he had got a chef to procure an hallucinogenic drug for him, Mr N. W. -Williamson said in the Supreme Court yesterday. Mr Justice Somers jailed lan Walter Harrison, aged 28, a chef, for 21 months on charges of supplying DOB, a class A drug to a married woman at Belfast and possession of the drug for supply last October. He had pleaded guilty to both: charges. Mr P. H. B. Hall, for Har-; rison, said that the woman! involved, who was a first of-! fender, had been fined $5OO and put on probation for 18 months in the Magistrate’s Court. It was she who had initiated both offences at the instigation of the police.

It was not a case of Harrison seeking out persons to sell the drug to. The woman, a friend of his, told him that she wanted the drug for her own use. He was nothing more than a go-between and made a profit of only $7 on the deal. The second transaction was a sham set up by the

police although at the stage they already had evidence on which to charge him on the first offence. The woman was told by the police that if she did not do what they wanted she would be charged with having the drug for supply and would very likely be imprisoned. The police conduct was wrong and was designed to make her, act against her will. The courts had a duty to see that the police acted (With property.

The plain fact was that the woman was illegally manipulated to obtain the drug and the police conduct i in the case was highly questionable, Mr Hall said.

There was no evidence that Harrison was willing to supply persons generally. Only 37 tabs were involved. He -was no “Mr Big” in the drug underworld, making a huge profit, as he had modest assets and had been working at two jobs. Harrison had impressed his probation officer as being intelligent, personable • and articulate. In the past ihe had been addicted to i heroin and his strength of

character had enabled him to conquer that habit. By getting' involved with any type of drugs he knew he was living dangerously and he had put his future in jeopardy.- He had planned to marry, Mr Hall said.

His Honour said that the drug involved had an effect which could last for days and an overdose could have serious consequences which could result in death. Parliament had put it in the A class, which showed the seriousness with which it was regarded. It was not easy to detect drug offences and police working in the undercover field had an unenviable job. The trade in drugs had to be stamped out and the police had asked the woman to get you to supply the drug and Harrison had been willing. At the age of 28 Harrison had a number of convictions, more than a dozen of which relate to drugs. He was a versatile and talented man who was capable of earning a good living.

The courts had to do what they could to end the drug trade by imposing deterrent sentences, his Honour said.