Medal negotiator's drug trial aborted

Medal negotiator Daniel Crichton's trial on methamphetamine charges has been aborted.

A drugs trial for the man who helped negotiate the return of stolen war medals to Waiouru Museum has been aborted.

Daniel William Crichton was charged with 10 counts of supplying methamphetamine and one of offering to supply a class B drug.

Last week Crichton told the Herald that he shouldn't spend time in jail if he was convicted on the charges.

"I'm not stupid. I recognised the medals were important to the country. But no one does anything for nothing.

"The general public might see it differently. But I think I'm within my rights to not spend another day in jail. That's being honest, I don't think I should go back to jail."

Police correspondence seen by the Herald showed that Crichton could expect leniency on the charges.

"Should Mr Crichton be successful or largely successful [in returning the medals] ... then he will no doubt be the recipient of further consideration from the courts in the event of his conviction and subsequent sentencing," wrote Detective Inspector Bruce Good.

Crichton had been in prison awaiting trial on the charges, but was bailed last year after negotiating with men accused of stealing 96 war medals.

The trial, due to begin today at the High Court in Auckland, was aborted after about two hours of legal arguments in chambers.

The jury had been chosen for the trial and Justice Peter Woodhouse thanked them for their time before dismissing them.

The charges still stand and Crichton is set to appear again on September 2.

- HERALD STAFF, NZPA