Pubdate: Thu, 03 Jun 2004
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2004 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: David Darragh

MAN, 81, DENIES DEAL TO STASH SON'S DRUGS

An 81-year-old war veteran yesterday denied being involved in a deal with 
his son to stash 19kg of cannabis worth $264,000 at his Carlisle home in 
return for $7000.

David William Sidney Davies, 81, and his 77-year-old wife Florence Gladys 
Davies are on trial in the Perth District Court accused of two counts of 
possessing cannabis with intent to sell or supply.

The court has been told that police found nearly 19kg of marijuana above a 
false ceiling in the couple's Carlisle home during a raid on August 2, 
2002.  A police sniffer dog also found more than 300g of cannabis in an 
ice-cream container under their bed.

After being pushed to the witness stand in a wheelchair, the old-age 
pensioner testified yesterday that $7000 cash found under a towel on the 
passenger seat of his Ford utility was to buy overseas flight tickets, 
travellers' cheques and insurance later that day.

Mr Davies said he and his wife of 58 years had scrimped and saved from 
their pensions for a visit to his home town in Wales to mark his 80th 
birthday with relatives.

He said he did not believe in banks and had put away money in a "secret 
hideout" in their wardrobe over 18 months.  He denied being given any of 
the money by his son, Tyssul Davies, 53.

"Certainly not, he would not give me a penny," he said.

His son had a key to their house and had visited on the day of the raid but 
he did not know how long he had spent there.  Mr Davies said he knew 
nothing of cannabis hidden in the ceiling or under a bed.

The jury has been told that Tyssul Davies had pleaded guilty to similar 
charges arising from the same incident in October 2002.

Mr Davies admitted that, during a police interview, he supported a lie his 
wife had earlier told police about having smoked cannabis found under their 
bed for medical reasons.  His wife had not smoked cannabis.

"She's covered up for our son and I have tried to cover up for her," he said.

Mr Davies said that, after his arrest, he collapsed with a stress-induced 
heart attack in a cell at the East Perth lockup and later had surgery at 
Royal Perth Hospital.

He also gave evidence that he spent seven years in the British army, 
including many stints in Middle East countries.

The trial continues.
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