Pubdate: Thu, 28 Oct 2004
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News
Contact:  http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283
Author: Bob Watt
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SOLDIER OFF TO JAIL AFTER COOKING SPEED AT HOME

A Territory soldier allowed to stay in the army after being convicted of 
armed robbery was jailed yesterday for manufacturing drugs in his house.

Clinton John Walters, 27, who has served in Iraq, was sentenced to six 
months' jail, despite the defence force still wanting to keep him.

References from high-ranking officers were handed up in Darwin Magistrates 
Court.

The trooper is an underwater explosives expert, one of the rarest skills in 
the army. He is now expected to be discharged.

Walters remained in the army, carving out a successful career despite 
convictions for entering and stealing and armed robbery in NSW in December, 
1997. A pistol was held to a man's head in the incident.

He pleaded guilty and was given a two-year suspended sentence.

Walters, now stationed with the 2nd Cavalry unit at Robertson Barracks at 
Holtze, pleaded guilty to "cooking" amphetamines at his Wulagi home.

Magistrate Dick Wallace suspended the sentence after two months on 
condition Walters commits no jailable offence for two years.

He said he must consider the glowing references and "rather surprising 
support" of the soldier's superiors.

But Walters now had a criminal record and he could not be confident he 
would not offend again.

Crown prosecutor Sally Ozolins told the court Walters was caught after 
Customs opened two boxes of laboratory glassware "commonly used in the 
manufacture of illicit subtances".

Walters bought the glassware on an American Internet auction site and 
picked them up at Winnellie post office in October 2002.

Police found the glassware when they searched his car at Robertson Barracks 
and a search of his home revealed instructions for manufacturing 
methylamphetamine. An analysis of his computer found Walters had received 
information about manufacturing drugs by e-mail.

Defence lawyer Ian Rowbottam said there would be no future in the army if 
he was sent to jail.

A reference from a major said Walters demonstrated the "traditional traits 
of the Australian Digger" and was unlikely to reoffend.
- ---