Not Guilty Plea On Drug Charges

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 16

Not Guilty Plea On Drug Charges

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 16. Constable L. E. Chatterton described to the Auckland Magistrate’s Court today how he and another constable in plain clothes met Anna Karina Hoffman, aged 22, a dressmaker, in a hotel beer garden and discussed the availability of drugs and their purchase and finally arranged to buy a drug of Japanese origin in chocolate form. Hoffman, he said, described it as a sex drug. The constable was giving evidence in a preliminary hearing of four charges against Hoffman—three of being a rogue and a vagabond in that she unlawfully had a deleterious drug on her person on April 14. 17, and 19 last, and one charge that she was' a rogue and vagabond in that she had insufficient means of support. Hoffman pleaded not guilty to all charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial in the Julv sessions by Messrs H. M. Israel and R. S. Macmillan. Justices of the Peace. Bail was allowed at £lOO in her own recognisance and a similar surety on condition that she report to the police daily. A request from Mr M. Robinson, counsel for Hoffman, for the suppression of the proceedings was refused.

"Produced Tin” Constable Chatterton said Hoffman also told them in the beer garden that she would try and get some marijuana for them. She produced a small tin containing about 10 little phials and gave them one. He said he noticed the name and a price written on the tin. She told him they were a stimulant. Later, at her flat, she gave him a box of the chocolates they had been discussing and he paid over the £6 she asked for.

Cross-examined by Mr Robinson. Constable Chatterton said he had not noticed any other drugs at Hoffman's flat apart from the chocolate and that he did not know how much she had. Constable H. Burdon, corroborated Constable Chatterton’s evidence. Doctor F. J. Cairns, a pathologist, said the drug in the chocolate was prepared from the bark of an African tree and had the reputation of being an aphrodisiac. There was some difference of opinion as to whether this was the case or not. There were cases of poisoning on record through its use. It could have a poisonous effect, he said, when the desired result was not obtained and further amounts of the drug were taken. It had an effect on the centre of the brain which controlled respiration and even caused paralysis of the centre. Combined with chocolate the drug could be most dangerous in the hands of children, said Dr. Cairns.