Bagman blamed for marijuana habit

[Tom]

FITZGERALD Inquiry figure and former SP bookmaker Stanley Derwent Saunders yesterday faced court for possessing marijuana.

 

Saunders claimed he used it to treat ongoing stress from his association with the late Jack Herbert, the infamous licensing branch bagman.

 

The 83-year-old Gold Coast pensioner was "one of the last men standing" from the days when Queensland's police force was "the best money could buy", his solicitor Bill Potts told the Southport Magistrate's Court.

 

Saunders pleaded guilty to three drug-related charges, including possession of a dangerous drug and possession of utensils, namely a water pipe and grinder.

 

Police raided his Surfers Paradise address on May 13 and found 31 grams of cannabis sativa.

 

The raid followed ongoing investigations into his son, Derwent Stanley Saunders, who yesterday also pleaded guilty to several drug and robbery-related charges.

 

The court was told Saunders Sr had a criminal history with convictions for official corruption after the Fitzgerald Inquiry.

 

He also was involved in the Southport SP betting case in the 1970s.

 

The same court case heard evidence against the late Jack Herbert, a former policeman and confessed bribe collector.

 

Saunders' name was frequently mentioned during the Fitzgerald Inquiry which heard of his association with Herbert, whose evidence while under immunity from prosecution led to the imprisonment of police commissioner Terry Lewis and other corrupt officials.

 

"My client was one of the very few people never to go to jail for official corruption," Mr Potts said.

 

He told the court that Saunders' connection with Herbert continued after the bribe collector left the police force, giving the former bookmaker stress.

 

Saunders also had contracted the rare Giullain-Barre syndrome, which for a time left him paralysed from the chest down.

 

He used marijuana to "self medicate" from the effects of both concerns, Mr Potts said.

 

Magistrate John Constanzo admonished Saunders for seeking a non-medical treatment for his ailments.

 

"At your age you should certainly know better than to flout the law and set this sort of example for your son," Mr Constanzo said.

 

"Self medication is not an excuse."

 

He was convicted and fined $500.

 

Saunders Jr, a university student and accountant who had battled heroin addiction, was placed on probation and ordered to attend counselling.

 

Outside court, Saunders Sr said he had used marijuana "for medical purposes" to treat stress and pain.

 

When asked about his bookmaking days, he said: "That was 25 years ago. That's when the police tried to frame me."

 

Author:Joel Dullroy

Date:April 27, 2005

Source:news.com.au

Copyright:Copyright 2005 News Limited.