JUDGE LASHES HIGH COST OF DRUG CRIMES

DEALING with the wilful, stupid and contemptible behaviour of young
people robbing and stealing for drug money on a daily basis was
extremely frustrating a Hobart judge said yesterday.

Justice Christopher Wright was sentencing Patrick Lawrence Smith, 17,
of Ringwood Drive, Bridgewater, who had admitted robbing an
61-year-old woman to pay his drug habit.

Justice Wright said in his recent court sittings in the Supreme Court
in Hobart he had five trials and sentenced 34 offenders, of whom about
90% were young men or women who abused drugs or liquor or both.

He said offenders robbed, burgled and stole to get funds for drugs.
Not only were they ruining their own health and prospects, but they
preyed on others,

Smith grabbed the woman's handbag which contained $500 and personal
papers on June 22.

The woman chased him but fell awkwardly trying to scale a wall he had
escaped over and broke her ankle.

The court had been told Smith needed money for his $75-a-day cannabis
drug habit and $1200 drug debts.

Justice Wright said young offenders had to be deterred.

He said Smith was "out of control", squandered money on drugs, was
socially and financially irresponsible and had to learn a lesson.

He sentenced him to 12 months' jail but suspended nine months on
condition he be of gvod behaviour for three years and serve supervised
probation.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry