LOVED MAN JAILED ON DRUGS

A judge sad it was evil to take drugs into remote communities and
jailed a well-respected Ramingining man to 28 days jail.

Rodney James Brown, 48, pleaded guilty in the NT Supreme Courtto drug
charges after he was caught with 883g of marijuana while travelling to
his home at Ramingining, 400km east of Darwin.

But the court heard Browne was an exceptionally compassionate man who
contributed siginificantly to his community's troubled youth.

Justice Dean Mildren was told Browne regularly cared for homeless
children over the years, taking them into his home and feeding them.

One woman told the court Browne was responsible for her son giving up
petrol-sniffing.

The court also heard many young people at Ramingining including
children, would go back to sniffing if Browne were to be jailed.

Justice Mildren said he had no choice in imposing a custodial sentence
as Browne had a previous conviction. The judge said it did not matter
if Browne intended to sell the drugs or give them away.

"Communities need to be protected from the evils of marijuana."
Justice Mildren said.

"This court has been saying for some time that those who take drugs
into the communities are going to have to go to jail."

"It does not matter really whether you intended to sell it or give it
away because in the end, someone else is going to get their hands on
it and that is where the trouble starts."

He jailed Browne for 18 months, with the sentence to be suspended
after 28 days, on the condition he not reoffend for 18 months from the
date of release.