FAMILY DEVASTATED BY MILLIE'S DRUG CHARGES - HOLMES

Paul Holmes' adopted daughter Millie Elder hid her head in her hands
as she was driven away from court yesterday after appearing on a
number of drug and receiving charges.

An hour earlier, the 19-year-old model stood in the dock of the
Auckland District Court with her arms crossed and her face covered by
long brown hair.

Only briefly did she glance at her lawyer, Barry Hart, as he asked for
details of her bail to be suppressed (granted) and chastised the media
for reporting her name before the first court appearance.

He said outside court that the charges had not been
admitted.

"You can take it from me that we are defending them as I stand here
now," Mr Hart said.

After the hearing an emotional Holmes told journalists his daughter
was sick but had the love and support of her family.

"We are devastated by this of course," he said. "If Millie has broken
the law, she must pay the consequences. We love Millie very much, and
the whole family - the whole family - is working together to offer her
our support."

The broadcaster's voice caught in his throat while saying "Millie is
sick ... " He then continued: " ... she has a big hill to climb. I'm
sure every parent with teenagers knows what we're going through.

"Millie is a girl with a good heart. We would like to thank the many
people who have phoned and texted their love and support to us and to
her. Thank you very much."

About half an hour later, the teenager, who lives in Grey Lynn, left
the court through a side door. She was ushered by Holmes into a car
and left without saying a word. Her mother, former television
presenter Hinemoa Elder, was not at court.

During the court appearance, Judge Avinash Deobhakta prevented filming
or photography, saying he could not see anything unique about the case
besides the fact that Elder might be connected to someone else in the
community.

Elder was arrested on Sunday morning after police executed a search
warrant on her flat during which drugs and stolen property were
allegedly found.

A 23-year-old woman who was at the flat during the search was arrested
at the same time. She was released on police bail with a summons to
appear in court this week on two counts of possession of utensils.

Elder, who is facing nine charges, was held in custody until
yesterday's court appearance.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said police were unable to comment
on why Elder was kept in custody after her arrest except to say it
related to "operational" reasons.

Ms Hegarty said the teenager was however treated the same as any other
person would be if found in her situation. Elder is due to appear
again in three weeks.

The charges: * Possession of a P pipe and 2 of possession of
methamphetamine. * Possession of a cannabis pipe, cannabis plant and
cannabis bong. * Allowing a premises to be to be used for a crime. *
Receiving a Panasonic 165cm Plasma TV valued at $18,500 (between May 4
and June 2) and receiving $15,000 of clothing from Smith & Caughey's
(May 22 and June 2).

Penalties:
* Possession of methamphetamine - up to six months in prison.
* Possession of cannabis - up to three months in prison.
* Receiving stolen goods - up to seven years (for property valued at
more than $1000).
* A second woman who is yet to appear in court is facing two charges
of possession of utensils.