Police defend handling of Millie Elder case

Millie Elder. Photo / Janna Dixon

Police are defending their handling of the case against Millie Elder after her lawyer said police were seeking "good publicity" by bringing charges.

The estranged daughter of broadcaster Paul Holmes was facing charges of possessing methamphetamine, also known as P, two charges of possessing ecstasy (class B) and one charge of receiving stolen property. All the charges were dropped by police yesterday when Ms Elder's partner Connor Morris pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and receiving stolen property.

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

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty today said police had evidence that methamphetamine was present and dropped the charges against Ms Elder and two more against Morris when he pleaded guilty.

"There was evidence that there was a presence of methamphetamine but it was just a matter of who was in possession of it," Ms Hegarty said.

Ms Elder's lawyer, Jesse Soondram, yesterday 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.

Ms Hegarty said no application for legal costs had been filed in court. She also denied police had targeted Ms Elder.

Mr Soondram also yesterday criticised a police search warrant involved in the case.

Ms Hegarty said Mr Soondram had 14 months to raise issues about the search warrant but did not do so.

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

She continues to face one charge of driving while suspended.

- NZ HERALD STAFF