COCAINE DEALER'S JAIL SENTENCE OVERTURNED

Manitoba's highest court has overturned a jail sentence given to a man who
claims he sold cocaine to help put his four children through college.

Instead, Lamphone Kosanouvong will be able to spend more quality family
time at home while serving his 18-month conditional sentence.

The Manitoba Court of Appeal ruled a jail term was excessive punishment
which focused too heavily on sending a message to society.

Kosanouvong, 41, was arrested last year after selling a rock of crack
cocaine to an undercover Winnipeg police officer for $40.

Born in Laos, Kosanouvong came to Canada in 1988 after living in a refugee
camp in Thailand. He became a Canadian citizen in 1991, court was told.

Kosanouvong, who is married with four children, has been steadily employed
at a furniture manufacturer since 1996 but claims he was still struggling
to make ends meet. He told police he just started selling drugs a month
before his arrest.

Kosanouvong pleaded guilty to one charge under the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act and argued that he should be allowed to remain free in the
community.

Defence lawyer Aaron London stressed his client's strong family support, a
lack of prior criminal record and a pre-sentence report which deemed him a
low-risk to re-offend.

The trial judge disagreed.

Under terms of his revised sentence, Kosanouvong is on a 24-hour curfew
which only allows him to leave his home to work, attend treatment programs
or perform community service.