Walcha pensioner convicted of supplying cannabis

On Friday, June 22 Victor Coulter was sentenced to serve a 12-month jail term, with an adjusted non-parole period of three months.

Handing down the sentence Magistrate Michael Holmes said he had reviewed the facts and taken into consideration the pre-sentencing report, Coulter’s record and his medical conditions.

“We have problems in the community with the use of cannabis,” he said.

“The use of this drug can trigger adverse effects on people such as psychosis and mental health issues. While I have no view on the legalisation of the drug at this stage, an issue being debated in the community at present, if you’re involved, and in possession of the quantity of cannabis that you had, then that needs to be stopped.

“The community does not believe that anyone should make money out of illegal activity. You’ll be released in  three months time and subject to parole with supervision.”

During a pre-sentencing report interview Coulter had claimed he was supplying the cannabis to friends as an analgesic and it was only ‘bush bud’; however, he had not mentioned this to police when the drug was found in his home.

On April 30 police received credible information about premises on Middle Street Walcha, and they applied for and were granted, a search warrant.

At 9.34am on Wednesday, May 2 police went to the house to execute the search warrant and when they arrived Coulter answered the door and was served the notice to search the premises. 

After Coulter was cautioned, he was asked if there was anything he wished to declare before police entered his home. 

“I’m not saying anything,” was his reply before police entered and began searching the kitchen area where a small bin was located.  Police looked in the bin and lifted a bin bag out which revealed another grey shopping bag underneath. Police opened this bag and found it contained multiple bags of cannabis of varying sizes with a total weight of 224 grams. 

Coulter was then cautioned by police and asked further questions when it became apparent that he was not a smoker of cannabis. When Coulter was asked by police what the cannabis was for he stated: “to make a bit of money”.  Coulter later told police he sold 3-gram bags for $50 each.