Drug charges against Millie Elder dropped

Millie Elder. File photo / Herald on Sunday

A smiling Millie Elder left court today after police dropped three serious drug charges against her.

The estranged daughter of broadcaster Paul Holmes was facing charges including possession of methamphetamine - also known as P, two charges of possessing ecstasy (class B) and one charge of receiving stolen property.

Her lawyer, Jesse Soondram, said his client was relieved the saga had been brought to a close.

He said police had targeted his client for "good publicity" and he had filed an application for police to pay her legal costs.

"I hope they ease off," Mr Soondram said.

The charges against Ms Elder were dropped in the Auckland District Court after the officer in charge of the case met with Ms Elder's lawyers.

Mr Soondram said he would have challenged the police search warrant if the charges against Ms Elder had not been withdrawn.

"There was not sufficient evidence to grant a warrant in the first place," he said.

"My view is that if police charge someone they should be in a position to prove that charge and they should have the evidence before they go ahead and charge people.

"It has always been back to front, they charge someone with everything they can and then scramble the evidence together afterwards," he said.

Mr Soondram said his client had been on bail now for a long time and the subject of unwanted media attention.

Ms Elder also had charges of possessing methamphetamine and cannabis and a shoplifting charge dropped in the Waitakere District Court yesterday.

Two charges against her partner, Connor Morris, were also withdrawn in court today.

Police prosecutor Teresa Paul told the Auckland District Court that all four charges against Ms Elder would be dropped if Morris pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of methamphetamine and receiving a $3000 stolen laptop computer.

Morris admitted the charges and was sentenced to 175 hours of community work by Judge Ian McHardy this morning.

"It is disappointing you have got yourself involved in this type of criminal behaviour," Judge McHardy told him.

He said the court views possession of methamphetamine and receiving stolen property as serious charges.

Ms Elder now faces one charge of driving while suspended.