Corrective training for two youths

Press, 20 March 1982, Page 4

Corrective training for two youths

Two youths: who were passengers in a car containing 1.85 kilograms of freshly-dug cannabis plant when it was stopped by the police in the early hours, were sentenced to three months corrective training ,at Rolleston by Judge Pain in the District Court yesterday. Paul William Carson and Aaron Mark Gilmore, both aged 18. unemployed, had been found guilty of possession of cannabis for supply after a jury trial in the District Court. Mr D. J. L. Saunders appeared for the police and Mr M. J. Glue for Carson and Gilmore. Evidence was given at the trial that the two youths were passengers in a car stopped by the police in Ferry Road near Richardson Terrace at 12.30 a.m. on November 26, 1981, because the vehicle had been reported as converted. Under the front passenger’s seat and in the boot were found tw r o blue plastic rubbish bags containing 14 freshly-dug cannabis plants about 1 metre to 1.25 m high. The total weight was 1.85 kilograms.

Asked where he got the > plants Gilmore replied: "We r have been caught red-handed : and it’s for myself anyhow.” > Carson denied any knowledge i of the cannabis.’ Questioned > about how his hands became , covered in dirt and cannabis I stains Carson replied: ‘I don’t know. I must collect [ dirt.” ] Judge Pain said that CarI son and Gilmore were both . equally involved and would , be dealt with on the same > basis. Neither had any convictions for drug offences. ; The jury had rejected their I explanation that they knew I nothing about the cannabis. Because of the large quan- . tity of the drug it was ; presumed to be possession • for supply because such an i amount would hardly be for i their personal use. The i weight included both stalks . and roots. The maximum penalty for the offence was eight years . jail. Persons who embarked on that kind of enterprise did I so at their peril. Clearly a custodial sen- ; tence was called for and had they been older they would ’ have been jailed for six months. Judge Pain said.