MAN, 81, DENIES DEAL TO STASH SON'S DRUGS

An 81-year-old war veteran yesterday denied being involved in a deal with
his son to stash 19kg of cannabis worth $264,000 at his Carlisle home in
return for $7000.

David William Sidney Davies, 81, and his 77-year-old wife Florence Gladys
Davies are on trial in the Perth District Court accused of two counts of
possessing cannabis with intent to sell or supply.

The court has been told that police found nearly 19kg of marijuana above a
false ceiling in the couple's Carlisle home during a raid on August 2,
2002. A police sniffer dog also found more than 300g of cannabis in an
ice-cream container under their bed.

After being pushed to the witness stand in a wheelchair, the old-age
pensioner testified yesterday that $7000 cash found under a towel on the
passenger seat of his Ford utility was to buy overseas flight tickets,
travellers' cheques and insurance later that day.

Mr Davies said he and his wife of 58 years had scrimped and saved from
their pensions for a visit to his home town in Wales to mark his 80th
birthday with relatives.

He said he did not believe in banks and had put away money in a "secret
hideout" in their wardrobe over 18 months. He denied being given any of
the money by his son, Tyssul Davies, 53.

"Certainly not, he would not give me a penny," he said.

His son had a key to their house and had visited on the day of the raid but
he did not know how long he had spent there. Mr Davies said he knew
nothing of cannabis hidden in the ceiling or under a bed.

The jury has been told that Tyssul Davies had pleaded guilty to similar
charges arising from the same incident in October 2002.

Mr Davies admitted that, during a police interview, he supported a lie his
wife had earlier told police about having smoked cannabis found under their
bed for medical reasons. His wife had not smoked cannabis.

"She's covered up for our son and I have tried to cover up for her," he said.

Mr Davies said that, after his arrest, he collapsed with a stress-induced
heart attack in a cell at the East Perth lockup and later had surgery at
Royal Perth Hospital.

He also gave evidence that he spent seven years in the British army,
including many stints in Middle East countries.

The trial continues.