Jail on LSD count

Press, 15 August 1980, Page 5

Jail on LSD count

A prison term of two years and a half was imposed in the High Court yesterday on a man who had been involved in the supply of 100 lysergide (LSD) tablets to an undercover policeman on March 17. The accused, Neil Christopher Parkin, aged 27, a yard hand (Dr W. G. G. A. Young) had been found guilty by a jury last week on the charge of supplying the LSD, a class A-controlled drug. He had been acquitted on a charge of supplying cannabis leaf, a class C drug, to the constable on the same day.

Imposing sentence yesterday Mr Justice Somers said

that on the evidence in the! trial he took the view that lan Halliday, previously sentenced to four years jail on two charges of supplying LSD, was the prime mover in the drug transaction. However, he believed the accused’s involvement was deeper than the accused would have the Court believe.

He had willingly lent his aid to the deed and it. was clear from his comment about being able to get some ; blotting paper that he was not a newcomer taken wholly by surprise and unacquainted with the drug transaction.

His Honour said he accepted that the accused

had made a large effort to get away from his drug . addiction. However, personal circumstances had to give way to the much more important public interest of suppressing the drug business. Dr Young had submitted in mitigation of penalty that the accused had been asked by Halliday to have a drink at a hotel. It was not until he met the undercover coni stable, known as Chris ■Allen, in the bar, that he iwas aware a drug transaction was under consideration.

Dr Young said the accused, on the evidence, had been involved only in a peripheral way and had received no benefit from the transaction.