NO LET-UP IN ACTIVITY OVER FESTIVE SEASON

An hour spent in the Christchurch District Court's No. 1 court this
week shows crime has no let-up in the holiday season.

Apart from a Youth Court, it was the only one running, and a quick
traverse of the court list shows a range of allegations from
possessing cannabis and ecstasy to arson and aggravated robbery, as
well as the usual seasonal disorderly behaviour, unlawful taking of
cars, shoplifting and breaching liquor bans. A man arrested on a
minor breach of his bail conditions may not have helped his case by a
tattoo on his arm. It reads: "F... the police."

Domestic violence usually sees a surge at this time of year, and a
man on a charge of assaulting his partner is granted bail subject to
residential and non-association conditions. He has had to move out of
the family home, but a friend is allowed back to pick up his possessions.

One of Christchurch's perennial nuisance offenders makes his
regulation appearance, this time for intentionally damaging a radio
handset in a bus.

He offers to pay for it on the spot, but the judge has to adjourn the
case so a reparation figure can be obtained.

An alleged drug dealer appearing on a serious charge of dealing in
methamphetamine finds the judge does not have jurisdiction to grant
bail, and he is remanded in custody to the High Court for a bail hearing.

There are several cannabis cases. Many smokers feel it is their
right. It is amazing how often police visiting a house for another
reason are alerted to the presence of dope by the smell - or the
sound of fans running in a ceiling space.

Going by the number of times judges are told cannabis use is only for
medicinal reasons, the medical profession must be missing out on one
of the best painkillers ever.

It is also notable how many large amounts are claimed to be for the
offender's own use, no matter how preposterous the claim.