Drug offenders jailed

Press, 15 April 1981, Page 4

Drug offenders jailed

Nelson reporter Custodial sentences were imposed by Judge Headifen on four of six persons convicted on drug-related offences in the District Court at Nelson yesterday. The charges arose from the activities of an undercover policeman in Nelson last year and early in this year. A large number of people were charged after big police raids on premises in Nelson late last month. Michael John Kelly, aged 26. a fitter and turner, convicted earlier on a charge of selling cannabis to a constable. two charges of offering to sell cannabis and one of being in possession of cannabis for supply, was imprisoned for nine months on each Charge, the terms to be concurrent.

The Judge said that on March 10, the day on which he was sentenced on another drug-related charge, he sold 83 grams of cannabis to a police constable for $450. He had been warned previously that a further drug conviction would result in some form of imprisonment. Robin Neil Rodwell, aged 33. an unemployed store manager, was sentenced to six months imprisonment on each charge of selling and offering to sell cannabis to a constable (concurrent terms).

The Judge said that on two occasions the defendant had sold the constable a total of 30 sticks of cannabis for $490 and had offered him a further 50 sticks. That, in his judgment, was selling in a big way. Graeme Douglas Nimmo, aged 20, a driver, was ordered to do 100 hours community work on each of two charges — 200 hours in all — of offering to sell cannabis to a constable.

David Francis Middleton, aged 20, a student, was sentenced to 12 months periodic detention on each of five charges involving the cultivation, sales to a constable,

and offering to sell cannabis and having instruments for the commission of a drugrelated offence (concurrent terms). He was convicted and discharged on a sixth charge of having possession of cannabis seeds. His counsel (Mr A. E. Webber) said Middleton became friendly with the constable and the friendship was based on the smoking of cannabis. The first occasion this arose was when the constable offered the defendant a cannabis cigarette which they smoked together, and over the months they smoked cannabis on many occasions.

Sergeant P. D. Grooby disputed that submission and offered to call evidence if the Judge intended taking the submission into account when fixing penalty. The Judge said that would not be necessarv.

Nine months periodic detention was imposed on Paul Stephen Kroupa, aged 22, a fork lift driver, after convictions on charges of selling, and offering to sell cannabis to a constable, and of being in possession of cannabis seeds. He was also admitted to probation for a year. Victor Edward Charles

Chantier. aged 27. a storeman. was convicted and fined $3OOO for selling cannabis (three bullets) to a constable. The total involved was 2.57 grams for which ?45 was paid. Donald David Sturgess. aged 30. an unemployed grave digger, charged with 10 indictable offences relat-

ing to the sale and supply ot. cannabis and of having a .38 pistol, was remanded in custody to today for the setting of a date for the taking of depositions. Graham Anthony Mawby, aged 37. a barman, on six indictable charges, was remanded to May 14 for the taking of depositions.