Pubdate: Wed, 29 May 2002
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Tracy McLaughlin

DOPE DEALER BLAMES HIS EVIL WAYS ON CAS

BARRIE -- A Toronto man, who blamed his wayward ways on the Toronto 
Children's Aid Society, has been sentenced to 16 months of house arrest 
after pleading guilty to selling an undercover cop about $60,000 worth of 
ecstasy.

Derek Mason was also ordered to do 100 hours of community service as part 
of the drug trafficking conviction.

In an unusual plea to the judge, during the preliminary hearing, defence 
lawyer Ian Kostman argued Mason's troubles are the result of the CAS for 
failing him as a child. He said the CAS removed Mason from his home 
following years of abuse but returned him and the abuse continued.

Recently, Mason won a court settlement of $250,000 from the CAS. In a 
letter, CAS client services manager Nancy Andrews apologized to Mason on 
behalf of the CAS.
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