Bail granted for partners over $40,000 ecstasy haul

Leading NT doctor Gerry Goodhand has put up a $5000 surety to bail his son on drug charges.

Karel Goodhand, 26, told Darwin Magistrate's Court he wanted to travel to Sydney to brief his barrister, but police objected to varying the bail.

They said they had information the ecstasy involved in the case against Goodhand and his 24-year-old partner, Melinda Frances Bartlett, had come from Sydney.

They feared he was going to Sydney to deal with drug suppliers rather than to see his counsel.

Magistrate Peter Dixon granted Goodhand the variation allowing him to go to Sydney on strict conditions and after his father put up the surety.

The magistrate reduced reporting to police for the pair from three times a week to once a week after Dr Goodhand also put up a $5000 surety for Bartlett. She did not ask to travel with her partner.

Goodhand and Bartlett each face a charge of possessing a commercial quantity of ecstasy.

Prosecutor Sergeant Karen Sanderson said the charge involved 174g of MDMA, with an estimated street value of $40,000.

Goodhand had no record for drug matters and had already surrendered his passport.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 5th February 2005
Author: Bob Watt
Source: Northern Territory News
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News