Probation for ‘small fish’

Press, 22 October 1981, Page 7

Probation for ‘small fish’

PA Auckland An Auckland rock musician has been sentenced to two years probation on charges of supplying heroin and morphine to an undercover policeman. Graham Phillip Brazier, aged 29, former lead singer of the. group. Hello Sailor, appeared before Mr Justice Speight in the High Court at Auckland.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying a class A controlled drug, heroin, on November 29 and December 2, and one count of supplying a class B controlled drug, morphine, on December 5 to a person known as Christopher Bennett. Counsel for Brazier, Mr Colin Nicholson, said there

were special circumstances relating to both the offences and Brazier.

Although Brazier supplied heroin he genuinely believed that the drug was morphine on all occasions. He was at the lowest end of the chain of drug supply and in each instance had to go to someone else for the drug. Mr Nicholson said Brazier's only reward was the use of some of the drug to satisfy his own addiction. Sentencing Brazier to two years probation, the judge said a term of imprisonment was compulsory for supplying a class A controlled drug unless there were particular circumstances relating to the offender. He accepted that Brazier believed the drug to

be morphine, that he was the lowest in the chain of supply, and that he did not do it for monetary reward. His Honour said one had only to mention the name of Gapes, Adderley, and Teichelman to understand that Brazier, “a very small fish,” was caught in a net that was being thrown to collect a much bigger catch. It was a “great misfortune” that he was collected, his Honour said.

His probation report showed that with his "not inconsiderable ability," Brazier could make a future for himself. His Honour ordered that Brazier live where directed and take medical and counselling advice as directed by his probation officer.