Storeman admits supplying drug

Press, 22 May 1987, Page 4

Storeman admits supplying drug

PA Wellington A young woman was admitted to Wellington Hospital suffering from the effects of the drug, diazepam after David Ashley Staples, aged 18, had given her tablets of the drug, the District Court at Wellington was told. Staples, a storeman, admitted supplying the prescription medicine, Valium, also known as diazepam, and was fined $5OO by Judge Hobbs. For possession of cannabis, which he also admitted, Staples was fined $lOO. Sergeant William Jaques said that at 10 p.m. on April 27 Staples met a woman, aged 17, at a bus stop and went to a tavern

in Lambton Quay. In the bar Staples, at her request, gave her two diazepam tablets, which she consumed. He later gave her another one and a half tablets, at her request. Staples had then comsumed some three and a half tablets over several hours.

Mr Jaques said Staples’ friend was later admitted to Wellington Hospital suffering from the effects of the drug. She fully recovered. When Staples’ address was searched under warrant the police found a cannabis cigarette in his

bedroom, Mr Jaques said. Staples admitted giving the tablets to his friend. He said he bought them in a local hotel for $7.