Prison term for ‘courier’

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 24

Prison term for ‘courier’

A drugs courier was jailed yesterday for 3>/ 2 years for his admitted part in a Christchurchbased conspiracy to import temgesic tablets into New Zealand from Thailand.

Rodney James Aldridge, aged 31, a company director, appeared for sentence before Judge Fraser in the District Court, having earlier pleaded guilty before trial.

Mr David Ruth, for Aldridge, pointed to his client’s good record and said the guilty plea saved the expense of bringing witnesses from overseas.

“Aldridge was a courier in this matter rather than a principal.” He said Aldridge played a lesser part than two others jailed for 3 >/ 2 years for their admitted part in the importation plan. Judge Fraser said he could find no reason to impose a lighter sentence.

"This prisoner’s part in the scheme was that after participating in the making of certain travel arrangements in New Zealand, he travelled to Bangkok.” Aldridge uplifted more than 14,000 temgesic tablets and travelled to Singapore where they were given to Heather Amelia Sylvia, who subsequently brought the tablets into New Zealand. "It seems to me that this prisoner's part in the matter was very similar to that of Svlvia.

"Although it was she who actually brought it into this country, it would be artificial and unrealistic to distinguish between them.”

Judge Fraser, in jailing Aldridge, said he gave credit for the guilty plea and the defendant's absence of relevant previous convictions. Mr Michael Lennard appeared for the Crown.