Pubdate: Tue, 15 Apr 2008
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2008 New Zealand Herald
Contact: http://info.nzherald.co.nz/letters/
Website: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NZ MAN ADMITS KILLING TEENAGER WITH CRACK PIPE

A New Zealand man has admitted stabbing to death an Australian
teenager with a broken "crack" pipe.

James Steven Williamson pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the
15-year-old boy near Glendale, in the New South Wales Hunter region,
in September 2006, the ABC reported.

Newcastle Supreme Court was told Williamson claimed he had gone to a
park to get drunk and smoke 'ice' - methylamphetamine or crystal meth
- - and was set upon by about 40 teenagers.

He broke a glass crack pipe he was holding and stabbed the boy, who
had punched and headbutted him, in self-defence.

He said the victim had tried to stab his friend a month
earlier.

Williamson as remanded for sentencing on June 2.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake