Nine months off for help over medals

A man who helped negotiate the return of some of the stolen Waiouru Museum war medals received a nine-month discount on his drug sentence yesterday.

Father-of-three Daniel William Crichton was found guilty last month of having 6.1g of methamphetamine for supply.

In the High Court at Auckland, Justice Graeme Lang took a starting point of three years, which he increased by four months because of Crichton's earlier, though comparatively minor, drug offending.

But he then took nine months off the total to compensate Crichton for his help in the return of the first batch of seven stolen medals, known as the Hudson medals.

Crown counsel Rachael Reed said Crichton had already received the benefit of getting bail as his reward.

The Crown position was that he was "not entitled to any further credit over and above the bail privilege" that he was allowed in relation to the Hudson medals.

Ms Reed said there was no evidence Crichton did anything to assist in the recovery of the bulk of the 96 medals that were stolen.

However, Justice Lang, in handing down an effective sentence of two years and seven months, told Crichton: "I take the view that some credit must be given over and above that fact that you received bail."

The judge said there was no suggestion Crichton was involved in the theft of the medals - indeed he could not have been as he was in custody at the time.

He accepted that Crichton became involved in the endeavour to ensure the medals were returned and not for monetary reward.

While he accepted Crichton's assistance with the first batch of medals, the judge said he could not reach a definite conclusion as to the return of the rest.

"However, I accept that you are entitled to a reduction and I propose to reduce your sentence by nine months to reflect that fact."

Earlier, Crichton's lawyer, Simon Lance, who was not counsel at his trial, urged the judge to give "significant credit and discount" for his efforts in helping recover the priceless treasures.

"He used his influence and his reputation within the criminal fraternity to ensure these medals were returned."

He was not the "medals rat" that he had been depicted in some quarters.

"He assisted in the return of the medals because he thought it was the right thing to do," Mr Lance said.

Being given bail was not to be regarded as his "prize".

Indeed, Mr Lance said it was merely an operational decision by the police, who hoped Crichton would lead them to the rest of medals.

Crichton's drugs were found when he and a co-accused, Hung Trung Kha, were stopped in a car in Remuera Rd in October 2006.

Kha was convicted of more serious drugs charges and jailed for 12 years and nine months, with a minimum non-parole period of six years and four months.

- NZPA