02/06/2007 01:00:00
Australia: Queen of pot gets year's jail
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ONE-time darling of Australian pop Allison Durbin wept as she was sent
to jail for a year on drug charges yesterday.
Judge Ian Robertson said that as a rehabilitated heroin addict, Durbin
-- now known by her married name of Allison Ann Giles -- should have
known the dangers of drugs of dependence and the misery they could cause.
But, he said, as long as she was making money she had shown little
interest in the lives of those who became consumed by drugs.
"You have clearly had a most impressive career as an entertainer," the
judge said in the County Court.
"It is particularly sad to see such a talented person before this court
on such serious charges. By reason of your public prominence you will
face humiliation in the media."
Giles, 57, was charged after a major police drugs investigation.
The court heard the main target was notorious drug dealer Giuseppe Dom
"Joe" Barbaro, 50, the father of once-kidnapped baby Montana.
Giles trafficked cannabis to Barbaro between September 2003 and March
2004, and police intercepted telephone calls between the pair.
The prosecution argued that Giles grew the drug and also supplied it
from other sources.
Judge Robertson said that during a search of the West Footscray home in
which Giles was boarding, police found a hydroponic set-up and five
cannabis plants.
Giles admitted supplying Barbaro with half to a kilogram of cannabis,
but Judge Robertson said there was no evidence about the weight of drugs
trafficked.
"Your sole motive for offending, it would seem, is one of personal
financial gain," Judge Robertson said.
Durbin's friend and housemate John Pigram, 59, told the court the crop
was the first grown in the hydroponic set-up and was a one-off.
He said it was grown by him for his use and for friends, but Judge
Robertson said he was not a convincing witness.
Judge Robertson said Giles' conduct was not isolated but showed a
continuing business.
"The trade of drug trafficking is the most insidious of trades," he said.
"You were clearly aware of the risks involved in drug trafficking -- now
you must accept the consequences."
Apart from her plea of guilty to trafficking cannabis, cultivation of
cannabis and theft of electricity, she had shown little remorse.
Judge Robertson jailed her for 24 months, 12 months of which was
suspended for three years. She was also fined $2000.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21834226-2862,00.html
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12580
Author:
Melbourne Herald Sun via UKCIA
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