DRUG RUN AN IMPULSIVE BID FOR CASH

One of Sydney's best-known criminals and a former boyfriend of murdered
prostitute Sallie-Anne Huckstepp was jailed for a further 18 months
yesterday after he was caught with $20,000 worth of ecstasy while on work
release from Long Bay jail.

Convicted heroin trafficker David Kelleher, 48, who has spent 22 years in
jail, was described yesterday by District Court Judge Joseph Moore as a
model prisoner whose "impulsive" actions were motivated by the need to buy
his girlfriend a birthday present.

Kelleher was nearing the end of his 13-year sentence for heroin importation
and was participating in a work release program. Each day he would cycle
from Long Bay to City Tatts in Pitt Street, where he did unpaid work in the
gym.

On January 9 this year, the birthday of his girlfriend, Marilyn Lawlor, he
asked a former prisoner for a loan of $200. "He decided he wanted to get a
birthday present for her but had no money for that," Judge Moore said.

Kelleher said that when he went to collect the money, his friend asked him
to deliver a package, which he knew contained drugs, probably steroids.

Judge Moore said he accepted Kelleher's version of events and believed his
role was one of courier. He also believed Kelleher was going to receive
only $200 from doing the delivery.

Judge Moore described him as "articulate and impressive" when giving
evidence, but said it was "extremely grave and aggravating" that the crime
was committed while on work release.

Kelleher, who changed his name by deed poll to Joe Duxerty, was sentenced
to a maximum four years but will be eligible for parole on July 8 next year.