JUDGE RAPS STUDENT FOR BRINGING POT TO SCHOOL

A student at Leamington district high school was fined $900 this week
and placed on probation for three years for selling marijuana at school.

Gerald Stone, 19, pleaded guilty to drug possession after staff at
the school spotted him in what they believed was a drug deal just off
school property on May 8, 2009. A student walking into the school
after the interaction was found to be carrying two marijuana
cigarettes purchased from Stone.

Stone was originally charged with drug trafficking, but pleaded
guilty to the lesser charge of possession.

In court in Leamington Tuesday, Ontario court Justice Micheline
Rawlins told Stone to focus on his studies rather than bringing such
"garbage" into schools. Stone told the judge he needs three more
credits to graduate.

Rawlins fined Stone $800 and imposed an often-waived surcharge of
$100 that goes into a fund to compensate victims of crime. She placed
him on probation for three years, the longest term allowed by law.

Prosecutor Anthony Leardi said the sentence sends the message that
drugs in schools will not be tolerated. "She wanted to send a message
to the community that possession of marijuana on school property is
highly objectionable."