DOPE DEALER BLAMES HIS EVIL WAYS ON CAS

BARRIE -- A Toronto man, who blamed his wayward ways on the Toronto
Children's Aid Society, has been sentenced to 16 months of house arrest
after pleading guilty to selling an undercover cop about $60,000 worth of
ecstasy.

Derek Mason was also ordered to do 100 hours of community service as part
of the drug trafficking conviction.

In an unusual plea to the judge, during the preliminary hearing, defence
lawyer Ian Kostman argued Mason's troubles are the result of the CAS for
failing him as a child. He said the CAS removed Mason from his home
following years of abuse but returned him and the abuse continued.

Recently, Mason won a court settlement of $250,000 from the CAS. In a
letter, CAS client services manager Nancy Andrews apologized to Mason on
behalf of the CAS.