Man gave cannabis to youths in care

Press, 6 September 1989, Page 13

Man gave cannabis to youths in care

A man entrusted with the care of three youths has admitted giving them cannabis.

The youths had been put in the care of Ramon Martin Cairns by a community welfare group, Sergeant Max South told the District Court yesterday. Cairns, aged 43, a domestic purposes beneficiary (Mr Mervyn Glue), admitted three charges of supplying the drug to persons under 18 years of age, possessing the drug, and permitting his home to be used for smoking cannabis. He was convicted by Judge Mahon and remanded, on bail, to September 18 for sentence. Acting on information received on August 2 the police executed a search warrant at the home of the defendant, said Sergeant South. A bag containing cannabis was found and a cannabis “bullet.” Between January 23 and June 19 three youths were placed at Cairns’ home by a community welfare group. Subsequent inquiries revealed that each of the youths, whose names were suppressed, had smoked cannabis on several occasions, said Sergeant South. Such activities usually took place on Friday evenings when beer, provided by Cairns, was also drunk, said Sergeant South. ARMY CUSTODY A soldier facing a

charge of attempting to rob a shopkeeper of cash had, in the opinion of a police doctor who examined him, an alcohol rather than a psychiatric problem.

This information on William Arthur Henderson, aged 21, was contained in a medical report handed to the judge by Sergeant South. Henderson, who first appeared in court on the attempted robbery charge on Monday, had been remanded in custody overnight for a medical report with a view to a psychiatric examination being done. Because the doctor’s report did not indicate a psychiatric condition Judge Mahon remanded Henderson to September 19, without plea. On the application of a duty solicitor, Mr Wolfgang Rosenberg, the defendant was handed over to the Army. He will now be held under open arrest at Burnham Military Camp. TRAFFIC OFFENCES A man who told the police he had taken tablets and smoked cannabis admitted a charge of driving carelessly while under the influence.

The offending occurred in Ferry Road at 11.30 p.m. on August 21. Anaru Matthews, aged 27, unemployed (Mr A. J. Davies), drove into a parked car which “bounced” into a power pole. After being forbidden to drive the defendant then drove the car again but

because of the damage it sustained he was unable to steer it properly.

It was later found that Matthews had never held a driving licence, said Sergeant South. On the traffic offences he was convicted and remanded to October 3 for sentence. On a joint charge with Deborah Margaret Whittington, of possessing a shotgun and ammunition in Ferry Road on August 22 except for a lawful purpose, Matthews was remanded to October 3. Whittington, aged 24, an accounts clerk, was also remanded to the same date. Both defendants are to face a depositions conference then. INJURY CHARGE Leslie James McCreath was remanded to September 3 for a pre depositions conference on a charge of injuring David Michael McClintock in circumstances whereby had death occurred he would have been guilty of manslaughter. McCreath, aged 36, a demolition worker (Ms Margaret Sewell), is charged with committing the offence on May 28. CHARGE DENIED A charge of possessing utensils for the manufacture of morphine was denied by Elizabeth Valma Easton.

Easton, aged 39, a solo parent (Ms Jane Farish), was remanded on bail to October 6 for a defended hearing. She is alleged to have committed the offence on August 2.