Addict jailed for four years

Press, 19 February 1987, Page 5

Addict jailed for four years

PA Auckland A man, aged 34, was jailed for four years for pointing a loaded gun at staff in Auckland’s Southern Cross hospital and demanding drugs. Warren John Hastings, a sickness beneficiary, of Titirangi, was a drug addict whose mother was also addicted and died of a drug overdose, his counsel, Ms Honoria Gray, told Mr Justice Sinclair in the High Court in Auckland. Hastings had earlier admitted the aggravated robbery, two charges of manufacturing morphine, possessing ammunition and possessing cannabis for supply. Ms Gray said Hastings was in a state of shock when he was told what he had done at the hospital

and said he could not remember anything of the incident.

He had abused drugs and alcohol for 19 years and looked 10 years older than he was.

His Honour said Hastings had a horrendous list of previous convictions, many drug-related.

“I don’t know whether you are fortunate or unfortunate to be still alive but, as your counsel says, you have abused your body with drugs,” he said. Hastings had one live round in his rifle when he confronted hospital staff and should be thankful he ran away when staff reacted, instead of using the weapon, said his Honour. On each of the other four charges his Honour imposed jail terms of a year, all to be concurrent.