Switch in prosecution case

Press, 26 March 1981, Page 22

Switch in prosecution case

NZPA Lancaster A switch in the prosecution case disclosed yesterday means that an Australian woman is to be the first admitted drugs courier to give evidence at the “Mr Asia” trial.

Today, Kay Margaret Reynolds, aged 31, is expected to begin detailed evidence of the syndicate’s alleged international operations. In a separate development it was learned that the alleged syndicate head, Alexander Sinclair, intended to give evidence when his defence case is put forward. Miss Reynolds’ evidence is to be called first because it covers the alleged operations of the ring over the longestperiod of time, a prosecution source told.the New Zealand Press Association,

She was listed to appear after another admitted courier, Allison Dine, a New Zealander. But the Court learned of the change yesterday when the trial judge, ;Mrs Justice Heilbron, on inquiring about the witness order, was told that number 161 — Miss Reynolds — would be called before number 160, Miss Dine.

These numbers, near the iend of the 170-strong proseicution witness list, indicate that the Crown is moving towards the final phase of its 11-week case. Defence cases will follow | the evidence of the couriers, and the first to be heard is that of the New Zealander, Sinclair. Sinclair’s intention to appear was confirmed by one of his legal advisers yesterday. It was probable that Sin-1 clair wanted to rebut evi-j dence put against other! defendants, according to al police source. i ''he disclosures came on a; iday of minor evidence at thetrial.

This morning, the prose-; cution hopes to clear all j other evidence away before ; returning to the broad pic-1 ture of the alleged con-i spiracy. This is to be given by I Miss Reynolds, Miss Dine, i and another New Zealander! also named in court, Carolyn: 1 Calder. The switch in the witness j order may also mean that I the first courier will give| her evidence undelayed by I legal argument. I Challenges to passages of

Miss Dine’s statement were] forecast but yesterday each defence counsel concerned said he did not think he I would argue against Miss! ! Reynold’s evidence. I Born in Barcaldine. Queensland, Miss Reynolds was chosen as the principal character in a prosecution summary of how the syndicate was said to operate'. The summary, given on January 16 during the opening address, described her international travels in mid--1978. She was one of the! women who ran a grave risk! in carrying the drugs, the leading prosecution counsel, Mr Michael Maguire. Q.C., told the jury then.

“You have in Australia-a conspiracy to import dangerous drugs, including heroin, and into New Zealand,” he said.

Mr Maguire told the Court of journeys by Miss Reynolds that began in May, 1978, with a flight to Singapore from Australia.

She then flew to Amsterdam and Manchester before her suitcases were emptied of heroin at a London hotel,! the Court heard.

Returning to Singapore, she carried more suitcases i

-Ito Fiji, before flying once 11 more to the South-east 11 Asian port and picking up ? still more suitcases to carry ; to Sydney. ' “It is the Crown case that . I this syndicate continues in ; existence.” Mr Maguire said.

“Its purpose has neve [ been abandoned and nevj > frustrated.” Names of people allege to be involved in the con i but nor charged ove i it are expected to be give by Miss Reynolds.