JUDGE MERCIFUL ON DRUG DEALER

MATTHEW Trepel closed his eyes, leaned back and breathed a sigh of
relief.

The 20-year-old Winnipegger learned yesterday morning he will not go
to jail for selling ecstasy at a Transcona rave last year attended by
more than 1,000 young patrons.

Queen's Bench Justice Barbara Hamilton rejected the Crown's bid for a
prison sentence of up to four years, saying Trepel, a first-time
offender, is clearly on the road to repairing his life and poses no
danger to the community.

The Crown had based part of its argument for a harsh sentence on a
case last week in which a 24-year-old first-time offender was given a
30-month prison sentence for possessing crystal methamphetamine,
another popular party drug.

Quantity involved

Hamilton said she took the crystal meth case under consideration, but
found it to be more serious because of the quantity of drugs involved
and the efforts made to get them.

In Trepel's case, he sold one pill to an undercover police officer and
was found to be carrying 19 others. He was given the drugs by his own
dealer and asked to sell them in order to work off his debt.

The man caught with crystal methamphetamine -- commonly known as speed
- -- had flown to Vancouver to pick up a large shipment that could have
supplied 970 people.

Trepel must abide by an absolute curfew that only allows him out of
his apartment to attend school and work. He must abstain from alcohol
and drugs, submit to random drug tests and stay away from raves or any
people who attend them.

He will also be forced to do 100 hours of community service work this
summer if he doesn't continue with his educational upgrade, and
Hamilton suggested he look at doing public speaking to youth groups
about the dangers of drugs.

"There's no question a message must be sent that trafficking in
ecstasy won't be tolerated," said Hamilton.

"I think the judge made a fair decision," Trepel said outside
court.