Reporter charged over theft of drugs-case video

Police have laid charges against a newspaper journalist over the theft of a videotape at the heart of drugs case involving a teacher and pupils.

Amie Richardson, a reporter at the Sunday Star-Times, will face alternative charges: either one of theft or one of receiving stolen property with the knowledge that it was stolen.

The newspaper ran a story several weeks ago about Auckland teacher David Arthur.

Richardson used quotes allegedly taken from the tape.

Sunday Star-Times acting editor Shayne Currie said that the newspaper would vigorously defend the charge.

"The newspaper at all times was acting in good faith in a matter of extreme public interest," he said.

"As a result of the newspaper's work, a teacher has been charged with supplying teenagers a class A drug.

"We believe we have done everything right in this matter - we handed the videotape to police before we published anything so that they could carry out their own investigation."

After the story Arthur was taken off active teaching duty at Takapuna Grammar.

Police say they have received no complaints against Arthur that could back up suggestions of under-age sex, but he is facing drugs charges arising from the tape.

Arthur appeared in an Auckland court early this month charged with supplying class A drugs and was released on bail.

He is due back in court next month.

The charges against Richardson follow the court appearance yesterday of four youths who appeared in a video allegedly smoking methamphetamine.

One of those charged was the self-styled tabloid journalist Jonathan Marshall, who pleaded not guilty.

The other three pleaded guilty.

The video theft charges will be heard next month.