Rodney Stevens
He has admitted carrying the drug ice and a pipe used to smoke it – but a South Lismore man will fight charges of supplying the highly addictive substance and allegedly assaulting two police.
Aaron Wilton was excused from appearing in Lismore Local Court on Monday, June 19, as he was at a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
Between February 3 and April 14 this year, it is alleged Mr Wilton came to the attention of police three times at Lismore and South Lismore.
Allegations from these encounters resulted in Mr Wilton facing 10 charges including two counts of resisting an officer in the execution of their duty, two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, two counts of possessing equipment for administering a prohibited drug and supplying a prohibited drug.
When Mr Wilton was searched by police between 10.30pm and 10.40pm, at South Lismore on February 3, it is alleged he was carrying a glass ‘ice pipe’.
Then on March 21, at 12.40pm, Mr Wilton was arrested by police allegedly in possession of 0.5 grams of ice and a ‘sweet puff’ brand glass pipe used for the administration of methamphetamine.
It was after 11.30pm when Mr Wilton came to the attention of police again on April 14, and it is alleged he assaulted a male senior constable.
A scuffle ensued, in which police allege Mr Wilton resisted the attempts of a male constable, and a male senior constable, to arrest him.
Once he was detained, police searched Mr Wilton and allegedly found 5.28 grams of ice, a laser pointer and $845 in cash, suspected to be the proceeds of crime.
Mr Wilton has pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing equipment for administering a prohibited drug and possessing .5g of ice.
On Monday, the court heard his solicitor Ms Waddell had received a ‘fairy substantial brief’ of evidence relating to Mr Wilton’s matters.
‘We are seeking an adjournment so we can go over the material and seek instructions,’ she said.
‘We are also seeking a FAS certificate that has gone missing.’
An FAS certificate details the forensic analysis of the drug, including its weight and purity.
‘How long is he in rehab for,’ Magistrate Jeff Linden asked.
‘Another four weeks,’ Ms Waddell replied.
Mr Linden adjourned Mr Wilton’s matters until july 3, when a date for a hearing will be set and a listing advice is required to be lodged with the court.
The listing advice indicates how many witnesses are required and how long the hearing is estimated to take.
