Judge defends his V.I.P. drug decision

Press, 15 September 1989, Page 13

Judge defends his V.I.P. drug decision

PA Auckland The Judge who discharged an Auckland personality without conviction for possessing cannabis has said in court that the man’s prominence did not influence his decision.

Judge Richardson made the comment in the District Court at Auckland on Wednesday after defence lawyer, Mr Chris Tennet, suggested his client, who also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, be dealt with in the same way.

Dick Egbert Koolbergen, aged 27, a hammer hand, of Blockhouse Bay, kept 27g of cannabis plant and several cannabis seeds in his kitchen. It was discovered by drugsquad detectives when they searched his home at 11 a.m. on August 8. Koolbergen came from Holland where the authorities had a different attitude to cannabis, Mr Tennet said.

He asked the judge to compare his client with the Auckland personality

discharged without conviction and who had his name suppressed. Drugsquad detectives found 25g of cannabis in the man’s bedroom. In both cases the men were appearing in court for the first time.

Judge Richardson told Koolbergen he had to obey New Zealand laws even though he was from Holland. He said he would not discharge Koolbergen because the personality was in an entirely different situation.

"There is no question of you being required to travel overseas or attempt to negotiate multi-million dollar contracts which could have a vital effect on matters in New Zealand.

“The fact that the person was stated to be prominent had no significance in the decision to discharge him. I deal with each case on its merits,” he said. He convicted Koolbergen and fined him $125 with $65 court costs.