Drug Grower, 75, Sentenced To Jail

[grace]

AN ELDERLY man who produced a 3000-plant cannabis crop in state forest adjacent to his Biggenden property will spend just eight months behind bars because of his failing health.

 

Clarence Joseph Ward was sentenced in Maryborough Supreme Court to three-and-a-half years in jail but the term will be suspended after he serves eight months in prison.

 

Justice David Boddice took into account Ward’s medical conditions when sentencing the 75-year-old.

 

Ward started growing the drugs in late 2006 with the help of his carer Toni Ann Holmes and her partner, Ward’s former employee Richard Zerek.

 

Holmes and Zerek were sentenced in 2009 for their part in the offence. Both were sentenced to jail terms.

 

Police uncovered the huge crop in January 2007: they found 2982 plants ranging in height from 20cm to five metres.

 

The crop was being watered by an irrigation system fed from a dam on Ward’s property.

 

Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings said the street value of the drugs was up to $700,000, much less than initial estimates of several million dollars.

 

“By the time it’s dried, cut and packaged there is a large variation as to what it could be worth,†he said.

 

Defence barrister Paul Smith said Ward’s poor health should be taken into account when sentencing.

 

Ward had already suffered two strokes, undergone two knee replacement operations and had diabetes, cholesterol and hearing problems and relied on a walking stick.

 

Mr Smith tendered reports from several doctors and health services as well as a personal reference.

 

Ward’s brother and sister were in the courtroom to support him throughout the proceedings.

 

Mr Smith said Ward felt he was under the influence of Ms Holmes during the offence period and had never been in trouble with the law before.

 

Justice David Boddice let Ward sit down during his sentencing remarks because he was so unsteady on his feet.

 

“Your medical conditions will make it harder for you to serve time in a correctional centre,†Justice Boddice said.

 

“These are very serious offences. It involved a number of plots and thousands of plants. It was a large and sophisticated operation.â€

 

Ward was sentenced to three-and-a-half years jail and will be released on June 7, 2011.

 

The remainder of the sentence was suspended for an operational period of four years.

 

Author: Loretta Bryce

Date: 9th October 2010

Source: Fraser Coast Chronicle

http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2010/10/09/drug-cannabis-biggenden-fraser-court/

[konflikt]

8 months because of ill health? gonna be 8 months of pure hell without weed.. that in itself should be enough punishment.. 8 months for 2000 plants isnt bad though.. maybe i'll grow 250 and get an 80 year old sick man to take the wrap... worth risking 20 days in jail

[The Hash Nibbler]

I like how they say they over-estimated the street value and that after it's trimmed, dried and cured it's worth a lot less............ Did a bit of crop drying did we boys?........ didn't get as much as you expected?..........Lmao. gh72

[antiks]

see this shit ull bull crap poor old bloke n for what gardening fucking stupid lucky hes only gettin 8 mnths lets all light one at 4.20 for the old bloke yeah?

[pisspotgrower]

Lucky bastard..........i seen his 2500+plants outdoor only estimated at 700k, what bout the poor fella i seen posted up here yesterday with 208 plants inside n they nabbin him for half a mill worth ...........guess the boys down south value there weed alot more than the pigs up north, or just maybe to be a cop now just gota count to 10 on ya fingers

[Radic]

you sux Justice David Boddice

shame pon you

how do you sleep?????????

 

an elder ,,,,in his 70ty ,,,,,,, had never been in trouble with the law before. ever!!!!!!!!!!!

 

have you no respect

 

what about a section 10

first offence = no jail

remember

harry adslinger died of cancer and to this day his grave is the most spat on grave in the US

[Allotropy]

Another one bites the dust. Meanwhile another 10 die a painfull death in hospital from cigarette related illness.

 

The government is not out to protect and serve the people.. it is out to protect ands serve the economy.

[Guest]

Another one bites the dust. Meanwhile another 10 die a painfull death in hospital from cigarette related illness.

 

The government is not out to protect and serve the people.. it is out to protect ands serve the economy.

 

 

10 is an understatement. 1 in 4 people die each year in Australia from Cigarette related illness.

 

[smashed1]

wow 5 meter plants