Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

Drugs helped me find God, court told

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 25 Oktober 2012 | 00.04

Gavin McCrory told the court he was innocent of the drug-related charges as the marijuana helped him express his faith and find God. Source: AFP

A CHRISTIAN man has been jailed for four years on drug trafficking charges in Townsville after he protested his innocence with the claim marijuana helped him find God and himself.

Gavin McCrory was found with nearly 2 kilograms of marijuana and $18, 250 in cash in his car near Ingham on 15th February this year, The Townsville Bulletin reports. Police officers later searched his house and found more marijuana, cocaine and diazepam.

The 45-year-old yesterday used passages from the Bible and speeches from well-known identities such as Foreign Minister Bob Carr to construct his unusual defence before the Supreme Court.

"It truly baffles me why the people's resources are spent criminalising their fellow Christians who are simply partaking in their God-given sacrament that helps them express and explore their faith," he told the court.

"I still don't really understand why I'm being persecuted when there's so much street and gang violence, murders and shootings ... not to mention the evidence of corruption."

McCrory used the Bible and the Ten Commandments to back-up his claim that using the drug helped him spiritually.

"There's an ancient Hindu saying that a devout man will find God themselves," he said.

"Well, marijuana has been used to assist individuals on that journey since the birth of time."

He was found guilty on numerous drug-related charges, except for possession of diazepam.

After handing down the four-year sentence judge David North made no recommendation for a parole period as he said McCrory's defence was cynical and showed a lack of respect for the law.

Read more about this case at The Townsville Bulletin website.


00.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Australian lawyer held in Mongolia

Australian lawyer Sarah Armstrong is being held in Mongolia. Source: Supplied

AN Australian lawyer has been prevented from leaving Mongolia as she is embroiled in a murky legal case.

Sarah Armstrong, 32, a mining lawyer for Rio Tinto subsidiary South Gobi Resources, was stopped at Ulaanbaatar's airport on Friday because police wanted to quiz her about allegations of money laundering and corruption.

Mongolian authorities are expected to interview her again on Wednesday or Thursday.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the Australian Consul-General to Mongolia, David Lawson, would accompany Ms Armstrong to the second round of questioning.

"She hasn't been detained, she hasn't been arrested, her passport hasn't been taken from her," Senator Carr told ABC Radio.

He said he had not been advised about any allegations against Ms Armstrong, but it was a complex matter between the company she works for, the resources authority of Mongolia and its anti-corruption authority.

Senator Carr was in Mongolia a month ago to open the new Australian consulate, and said there were no indications of trouble brewing while he was there.

"Australia's got big investments there, we're the biggest investor in mining," he said.

"Our relationship with Mongolia is very good."

Senator Carr said he expected the issue to be resolved quickly.

He would not comment on speculation Ms Armstrong had been targeted as a payback for making allegations of corruption three months ago.


00.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Governor-General's term extended

Governor-General Quentin Bryce's term has been extended until March 2014. Source: The Advertiser

THE Queen has extended Governor-General Quentin Bryce's term in the role, on the advice of the Australian government.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Ms Bryce's term had been extended until March 2014.

"The governor-general has carried out her duties with distinction," she said in a statement.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Australia I wish the governor-general and Mr (Michael) Bryce well for the remainder of her time in office."

Ms Bryce was the first woman to take on the role and was appointed as Australia's 25th governor-general in 2008.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott welcomed the extension of Ms Bryce's term, saying she has served with distinction.

"We know that Her Excellency will continue to bring credit to the office of governor-general and Mr Bryce will continue to provide support to her service," he said in a statement.


00.04 | 1 komentar | Read More

Two charged over bikie boss shooting

TWO men will face court today over the attempted shooting murder of a Gladiators bike boss.

Police arrested the pair, aged 35 and 40, during early morning raids on two homes in the Hunter Valley following an investigation into the July shooting of Frank Van Der Kroft.

Mr Van Der Kroft was gunned down on July 22 as he rode his Harley Davidson along Wine Country Drive in the Hunter Valley, suffering four bullet wounds to his chest and stomach.

The 56-year-old is a senior member of the Maitland chapter of the Gladiators outlaw motorcycle gang.

The two men have been charged with shoot with intent to murder and will appear in separate courts later today.

Police will allege both men have links to an outlaw bikie gang.


00.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Family's tribute to lovable larrikin

The family of Corporal Scott Smith killed in Afghanistan on Sunday has described him as a dedicated soldier.

THE family of fallen commando Scott James Smith has paid tribute to an active and lovable character with a cheeky smile, who believed his actions made a difference.

Combat engineer Corporal Smith, originally from the Barossa Valley, was killed in Afghanistan by a bomb blast during a compound clearance operation on Sunday.

His family - parents Murray Smith and Katrina Paterson and sister Roxanne - this morning issued a statement about their much-loved son and brother.

"Scott live to the fullest. He was born in the Barossa Valley and was water skiing as soon as he could stand - it was one of his great loves," the statement read.

Corporal Scott James Smith

"Scott had a great sense of humour and was very much into practical jokes. He could also be very relaxed when not at work - becoming renowned for his cheeky smile and kind words.

"But mostly Scott will always be renowned for being the lovable character that held the family together."

His family said Scott's generosity was often spoken of and he always had time for people who had time for him.

"One of the things you could rely on Scott for was calling whenever he was able and was thinking of you, at midday, midnight, or anywhere in between," the statement read.

"Scott had a larrikin charm that endeared him to all those around him and these qualities ensure he will always be held in the hearts of those who knew him.

Corporal Smith's family said he was a "tremendous soldier".

"It is openly acknowledged that he was well respected within his workplace by those who knew him," they wrote.

"We knew the Army was Scott's second family, his home away from home. Scott truly believed his actions made a difference. He was a truly dedicated soldier who also knew how to relax in his time away from work."

Corporal Smith is also survived by his partner Liv, who is from Germany.

"Liv, Scott's German princess, met him when she was an exchange student in Australia. After that, the pair could be found in all sorts of mischief together," the family wrote.

"Our family is united in grief as we try to come to terms with his loss."

The family thanked everyone for their wishes and condolences but have asked for privacy.

Corporal Smith was the 39th Australian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. 

Read full statement on behalf of the family of Corporal Scott James Smith: 

"Scott was a tremendous soldier. It is openly acknowledged that he was well respected within his workplace and by those who knew him. 

We knew the Army was Scott's second family, his home away from home. Scott truly believed his actions made a difference; he was a truly dedicated soldier, who also knew how to relax in his time away from work. 

Scott lived life to the fullest. He was born in the Barossa Valley and was water skiing as soon as he could stand - it was one of his great loves. 

Scott attended school in the local area and used his school holidays to learn to barefoot water ski. 

Liv, Scott's German princess, met him when she was an exchange student in Australia. After that, the pair could be found in all sorts of mischief together. 

Scott loved being outdoors and keeping fit throughout his lifetime and pursued many sports - from long distance running, to cricket and any sort of competition he could be involved in. 

Scott had a great sense of humour and was very much into practical jokes. He could also be very relaxed when not at work - becoming renowned for his cheeky smile and kind words. But mostly Scott will always be renowned for being the loveable character that held the family together. 

Scott had a lot of time for those who had time for him, and his generosity in all things was often spoken about. One of the things you could rely on Scott for was calling whenever he was able and was thinking of you, at midday, midnight, or anywhere in between. 

Scott had a larrikin charm that endeared him to all those around him, and these qualities ensure he will always be held in the hearts of those who knew him. 

Our family is united in grief as we try to come to terms with our loss. 

We thank everyone for their heartfelt wishes and messages of condolences, but ask that our privacy be respected during this difficult time."


00.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Five deaths 'linked' to Monster Energy

Anais Fournier, aged 14, died after consuming the drink Monster Energy. The manufacturers are being sued. Source: Supplied

The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating five deaths and a heart attack for possible links to consumption of Monster Energy drinks.

"I can verify that FDA has received five adverse event reports of death and one of heart attack possibly associated with Monster Energy drink,'' the FDA spokeswoman, Shelly Burgess, said in an email.

Burgess cautioned that such reports "serve as a signal to FDA and do not prove causation between a product or ingredient and an adverse event''.

But she said such reports are taken seriously and diligently investigated by the agency, which regulates the US food and drug industries.

Burgess urged consumers who have experienced an adverse reaction to an energy drink to notify the manufacturers, which are required to report them to the FDA within 15 days.

Monster energy drink Source: Supplied

The family of US teen Anais Fournier, who died of an arrhythmia in December 2011, allegedly after drinking two cans of Monster Energy over a 24-hour period, brought the suit on Friday in California against Monster Beverage.

Her parents accused the company of not warning consumers of the potential dangers of its product.

"I was shocked to learn the FDA can regulate caffeine in a can of soda, but not these huge energy drinks,'' said Wendy Crossland, the girl's mother, who called the beverages "death traps'' for adolescents.

According to the complaint, the two cans of energy drink that Fournier consumed contained about 480 milligrams of caffeine - the equivalent of 14 Coca-Colas.

The drink's manufacturer, Monster Beverage Corporation, denied any responsibility for Fournier's death.

"Monster does not believe that its products are in any way responsible for the death of Ms Fournier and intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit,'' it said in a statement.

"Neither the science nor the facts support the allegations that have been made. Monster reiterates that its products are and have always been safe.''

A November 2011 report by the US Department of Health and Human Services found a tenfold spike in emergency room visits for issues linked to energy drinks between 2004 and 2009, totalling more than 16,000 visits in 2008, with sales of the beverages skyrocketing during that same period.

Information about the report was released in a statement from Kevin Goldberg, a lawyer representing Fournier's family.

The firm Beverage Digest estimates that the sales of energiser drinks - which represent three per cent of the soda market - rose some 17 per cent in 2011.

Monster holds nearly 39 per cent of the US market in sales volume but Austria's Red Bull has the highest share in terms of revenues. Other makers of these types of drinks are PepsiCo and Living Essentials LLC.

Aggressive marketing campaigns by such companies targeting susceptible youngsters have led to growing concern among authorities.

In August, federal prosecutors in New York summoned officials from Monster, PepsiCo and Living Essentials as part of a probe into the industry's advertising and marketing practices.

Energy drinks contain stimulants like caffeine, guarana and ginseng as well as the relaxant taurine and other vitamins.


00.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

Struggle over killer driver's sentence

Lee Raymond Nugent had admitted killing a pedestrian at Lameroo by driving dangerously. Picture: Greg Higgs Source: AdelaideNow

A JUDGE says he is struggling to determine the appropriate punishment for a drunk driver who ran down and killed another man.

Lee Raymond Nugent, 32, of Lameroo, appeared in the District Court this morning.

He has previously pleaded guilty to causing the death of Matthew Deedman, 39, by dangerous driving at Lameroo in June last year.

Nugent's blood-alcohol reading at the time of the incident was 0.217 and he was driving on the wrong side of the road.

Prosecutors claimed the incident - his seventh drink-driving offence - arose following a dispute between Nugent and Deedman.

Defence counsel, however, claimed Mr Deedman was trying to strike their client's car with a shovel at the moment he was hit.

Nugent was due to be sentenced today.

However, Judge Sydney Tilmouth told counsel the case would not proceed as scheduled.

He said he was "struggling" to determine an appropriate penalty, given experts had been unable to determine Nugent's speed at the time.

"You agree Nugent was speeding over the limit, but this is an elusive thing... it could mean 61km/h, it could mean 161km/h," he said.

"I'm finding this issue of speed a bit elusive - quite elusive, actually."

Grant Algie, QC, for Nugent, said his client's speed would never be known.

"The best Your Honour can do, and all that's required, is make a finding that he was travelling over the speed limit but not grossly so," he said.

"This causes the driving to be categorised, as Nugent has acknowledged by his plea, as dangerous."

Judge Tilmouth remanded Nugent on continuing bail for sentencing next month.


00.04 | 0 komentar | Read More

End the innuendo, says Thomson lawyer

Craig Thomson's lawyer Chris McArdle on Sky News. Source: Supplied

CRAIG Thomson's lawyer has told Tony Abbott to "shut his mouth" after the Opposition Leader commented on the police raids on the house and electoral office of the member for Dobell.

Chris McArdle told Sky News Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was alleging his client had committed criminal wrongdoing.

"If Mr Abbott has evidence of that he should come forward forthwith, or he should shut his mouth," he said.

"We will not tolerate our client being condemned by innuendo or ageing student politicians mouthing off.

"This is unacceptable conduct. Our client is an innocent man."

Speaking to reporters in Adelaide earlier today, Mr Abbott encouraged Mr Thomson to fully co-operate with the police .

"I think it's very important this member of parliament fully co-operates with police," Mr Abbott said.

"The police have shown a lot of diligence in trying to ensure that low paid workers' money is not misused."

Craig Thomson's lawyer defends him after continuing allegations of rorting union credit cards.

And a top Victorian police officer expressed anger at the media tip-off.

In a statement this afternoon, Detective-Supt Brett Guerin of the Serious Crime Operations said:  "I share Mr McArdle's outrage at the media's apparent knowledge of these activities this morning. The last thing our detectives need is to be knocking on someone's door with a media scrum watching. It helps no one but the media. Victoria Police is very conscious of the high-profile nature of this investigation and has been resolute in the information they have provided to the media. I would love to know how the media knew what was happening."

This morning, police raided Mr Thomson's home on the NSW Central Coast and left several hours later carrying sealed evidence bags.

Detectives then seized a computer hard drive, documents and other items from Mr Thomson's electoral office at Tuggerah.

But while Mr Thomson praised police handling of the search, his lawyer, Chris McArdle, lashed out, saying it was "scandalous" that news crews arrived around the same time as police, adding ii was like "something out of a Kafka novel".

"Mr Thomson knew nothing about this, but every journalist in the country did,'' he said.

He said the police were not supposed to be a public relations agency for those in politics with an interest in seeing Mr Thomson fall.

MP Craig Thomson faces the media after police seized documents from his Bateau Bay home . Picture: Peter Clark

''The police are an independent statutory force with an objective to investigate matters,'' he told reporters.

''They are not a public relations agency for political parties. People should not use the independent force as some sort of stunt squad.

Mr McArdle said his client would eventually be cleared.

''He's not going to be charged with a criminal offence and he's going to win the civil case. End of story,'' he said.

Mr McArdle said his client was being hounded only because his vote mattered in a hung Parliament.

"This is a person whose life has been trashed. If the government had a majority of five seats, no one would have ever heard of Craig Thomson except his constituents,'' he said

"Obviously, as is the normality in these things, the target of the search warrant was taken completely by surprise,'' he told the ABC.

Embattled cross-bencher says he does not expect to be charged after a police raid on his Bateau Bay home.

"The scandalous aspect of this, is that press arrived almost at the same time as the police and a camera crew was outside at almost the same time as the police."

Mr McArdle queried whether the purpose of the raid was the administration of justice or a continuing campaign against Mr Thomson.

"We are supremely confident that there will be no charge brought before a court by the police against our client.''

Earlier, Mr McArdle said the MP was very distressed and worried by the raid although he appeared calm when confronted by reporters outside his home.

"His family are obviously very distressed,'' Mr McArdle said.

"Police have an obligation to investigate matters and we understand and appreciate that. However, we anticipate that no charges with be laid.''

Mr McArdle went on to say that he believes the raid "will be one more brick in the wall of Mr Thomson's innocence".

Police leave MP Craig Thomson's Bateau Bay home with seized documents . Picture: Peter Clark

Jackson slams Thomson's 'mantra'

Meanwhile, HSU National Secretary Kathy Jackson has criticised Mr Thomson for not taking questions from the media and "repeating his mantra" after his home and electoral office were raided by police earlier today.

"All this morning reinforces in my mind is that there has been criminal activity within that NSW HSU branch and it continues," she told Macquarie radio.

Ms Jackson rejected Mr Thomson's claims the police investigation was into the HSU branch and not himself personally.

"My understanding is that Victorian police are looking at Craig Thomson, there is no other reason they raided his house today," she said.

"For him to come out and say, he gave them a few documents, well they raided his house and they took the documents ...

"He has not co-operated with the police, this is why they have executed warrants and this was why they have gone down this path."

Fraud squad officers have raided the home of embattled federal MP Craig Thomson.

Electoral office and house raided

Earlier today police took samples of Craig Thomson's handwriting, which his lawyer says will prove he did not use union funds to pay for prostitutes, during raid on the MP's home and electorate office today.

Officers raided Mr Thomson's NSW Central Coast  home just after 7.20 am (AEDT) on behalf of Victoria Police who are investigating allegations Mr Thomson improperly used Health Services Union (HSU) funds to spend on prostitutes, air travel, entertainment and cash withdrawals in excess of $100,000.

They spent about two-and-half hours at the house after arriving in a convoy of vehicles. About eight officers left shortly after 10am (AEDT) carrying sealed evidence bags which they loaded into five police cars.

They then headed to Mr Thomson's electoral office at Tuggerah where detectives seized a computer hard drive, documents and other items.

NSW detective-inspector David Christey said the operation resulted from an ongoing investigation in Victoria.

"The warrant has been issued with information that has been provided by the Victorians," Mr Christie said outside the electoral office.

Fraud squad detectives raid MP Craig Thomson's house. Picture: Channel 7

"The items that have been seized will be returning to Melbourne with them."

Victoria Police are reportedly in the final stages of their investigation but would not comment on the operation.

But both Mr Thomson and his lawyer Chris McArdle maintain the former Labor MP has done nothing wrong.

Mr McArdle said police took samples of  Mr Thomson's handwriting and at least one computer from his home.

"The samples of handwriting will prove that he did not sign these infamous dockets, these credit card receipts at houses of ill repute,'' Mr McArdle said.

Mr Thomson emerged from the house around 10.30am (AEDT) and told media police had taken a "couple of documents" during the search that he had volunteered.

"I've done nothing wrong and we are fully co-operating with police in relation to the Health Services Union investigation,'' Mr Thomson said.

Fraud squad detectives raid MP Craig Thomson's house. Picture: Channel 7

"`We think there is still some time for this investigation to go before it's concluded.

"But I'm very much looking to it concluding, hopefully, before the end of this year.''

Mr Thomson said he had not been charged with anything.

He said there was not much more he could add, given the investigation was ongoing.

Under intense questioning reporters, Mr Thomson said he did "not expect to be charged in relation to this matter''.

"I expect that at the end of the day, the position I have taken, where I spoke for over an hour in parliament, which I have said in the last four years that I have done no wrongdoing, will be vindicated,'' he said.

Faced with a barrage of questions from reporters, Mr Thomson cut short his press conference and went back inside his house.

Fraud squad detectives raid MP Craig Thomson's house. Picture: Channel 7

Shortly after, Mr Thomson's wife ran over camera equipment belonging to a Sky News team as she tried to leave the house.

Zoe Arnold, Mr Thomson's wife, was trying to avoid a media pack when the accident happened.

Police from two states in raid

NSW Police confirmed they assisted Victoria Police in executing a search warrant on Mr Thomson's property.

In a statement, Victoria Police said a warrant was executed in Bateau Bay on Wednesday morning with the assistance of NSW police, as part of the Operation Vespine investigation.

"Fraud and extortion squad detectives would like to thank NSW police Strike Force Carnarvon for their ongoing assistance,'' the statement said.

"As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.''

Detectives raid the home of Craig Thomson at Bateau Bay, NSW. Picture: Channel 7

The joint operation was not without controversy, with Victoria Police this afternoon issuing a statement questioning who tipped off the media about the raid.

''The safety and security of investigators when executing search warrants is of the utmost importance to Victoria Police,'' the statement said.

''To alert the media of such warrants prior to them being executed, and keeping in mind the privacy of those concerned, is not the practice of Victoria Police.''

The Thomson accusations

The Victorian Police investigation focuses solely on allegations Mr Thomson, while national secretary of the HSU based in Melbourne between 2002-2007, spent more thann $6000 on prostitutes using union credit cards and took more than $100,000 off the cards in cash withdrawals - some of which is alleged was spent on personal items. Fair Work Australia also alleges alleged some of that money was also used on prostitutes.

A separate NSW Police investigation is looking at broader allegations of fraud of the HSU allegedly involving former HSU boss Michael Williamson and also Mr Thomson.

That investigation is looking into claims both men received credit cards from a printing firm contracted by the union as "secret commissions".

Last week Fair Work Australia (FWA) launched civil action against Mr Thomson alleging he breached workplace laws 37 times and misused almost $500,000 when he was national secretary of the HSU from 2002 to 2007.

Federal Police carry evidence from the office of Craig Thomson's electorate office. Picture: Waide Maguire

The former Labor MP, now an independent, faces fines of up to $450,000 if the court finds, among other things, he spent thousands of dollars of union funds on prostitutes.

Mr Thomson has maintained his innocence and says the case won't go anywhere.

Raid a blow for Gillard government

The police raid on Mr Thomson's house is another blow for the Gillard Government which has also seen its hand-picked Speaker, Peter Slipper, resign in disgrace a fortnight ago over a batch of lewd emails were made public.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard in late April sought to distance her Government from Mr Thomson, announcing that a "line had been crossed'' and that the former Health Services Union boss would resign from the Labor Caucus and sit on the cross-benches in parliament.

In the first reaction to the Thomson raid, Senior Gillard Government Minister and Senate Leader Chris Evans offered cautious support for the suspended Labor MP, saying he was entitled to "the presumption of innocence'' following the police raid.

"Obviously these are matters of huge public controversy. We should let these things run their course,'' Senator Evans told Sky News.

Federal Police carry evidence from the office of Craig Thomson's electorate office. Picture: Waide Maguire

The police, he said, "have to do their job and we should refrain from commenting on it until its clear what the outcomes are.''

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said the raid was a significant development in "this ongoing saga''.

"It is now clear that despite Mr Thomson's repeated claims to the contrary, he is a person of interest in both the Victorian and NSW police fraud squad investigations,'' Senator Abetz said in a statement.

Manager of opposition business Christopher Pyne said Prime Minister Gillard needed to say whether Labor would continue to accept Mr Thomson's vote in federal parliament.

"We left parliament two weeks ago mired in scandal," Mr Pyne said in Adelaide.

"We go back next Monday continuing to be steeped in scandal.

"And if Julia Gillard wanted to restore integrity to the way Australians think about the parliament she would announce she would not accept Craig Thomson's tainted vote."

Federal Police carry evidence from the office of Craig Thomson's electorate office. Picture: Waide Maguire

The raid comes just one week after the under siege MP sat down exclusively with the Central Coast Express Advocate and pleaded with voters to be judged on his record.

"Judge me on what I have done and want to do and will continue to dedicate myself to doing for this area," he said.

"All the other stuff you can put aside,'' Mr Thomson said.

HSU president charged

Earlier this month, Strike Force Carnarvon charged former HSU national president Michael Williamson with 20 offences.

It's alleged Mr Williamson recruited five former and current HSU officials to hinder police investigations.

In May, Strike Force Carnarvon officers raided the central headquarters of the union's east branch, seizing documents and computers in search of evidence relating to a broader investigation into allegations Williamson and Mr Thomson received secret commissions from a union supplier.

Former Labor MP Craig Thomson's NSW house has been raided by fraud squad detectives. File picture: Kym Smith


00.04 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger