Shorten jail term pleads HIV man

The sentencing of seven people charged after invading the Territory Parliament inn Darwin a year ago has been adjourned to next month.

The five found guilty on Thursday by Magistrate Dick Wallace of disturbing the Legislative Assembly on May 14, 2002, made submissions yesterday.

Leading light in the Network Against Prohibition (NAP) group Gary Meyerhoff, submitted that he should be given a shorter sentence because he had a terminal illness.

Mr Wallace said because Meyerhoff was HIV positive he should obtain information on the progression of the disease.

The magistrate adjourned Meyerhoff’s case to June 3 for him to submit a medical report.

Yesterday afternoon Mr Wallace heard sentencing submissions for Aaron Stallard-Bryce, 20, and Luke Stan Masters, 20 (both 19 at the time) who pleaded guilty to the charge of disturbing the Assembly.

Defence lawyer Ian Read said both were very concerned they would receive an actual jail term.

They had pleaded guilty at a fairly late stage, continuing with the proceedings with the older defendants because they were “misinformed”.

Mr Wallace told Masters he would not send him to jail and adjourned his sentencing to June 3.

For Stallard-Bryce he ordered a home detention assessment and adjourned his matter to June 6.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Sat, 24 May 2003
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Bob Watt
Copyright: 2003 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/