Man tells court he used drugs because of diabetes diagnosis
A 51-year-old barber today told Magistrates' Court he turned to cocaine to help him cope with his diagnosis as a diabetic.
Kevin Charles Robinson pleaded guilty this morning to possessing 0.1g of cocaine and a pipe modified for the use of a controlled drug.
He was arrested on April 7 after police received a report of individuals selling drugs in City Hall car park.
The officers said Robinson turned and walked “briskly” away, repeatedly looking behind him at them.
A search of his knapsack revealed the pipe and a carton of Marlboro cigarettes which contained a rock-like substance wrapped in brown paper.
After pleading guilty, Robinson told the court: “At the time of this offence I just found out that I got diabetes and I was in a bad space, but since then I have gotten into a programme.”
Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner noted a prior conviction for possessing illegal drugs.
“Did you have diabetes on January 4, 2005 when you had diamorphine?” he asked.
Mr Warner fined Robinson $1,000 for the offences, and an additional $1,500 for possessing the items in an increased penalty zone.
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