ARARAT - An ornamental dagger and lighter in the shape of a hand gun has resulted in a court appearance for an Ararat woman.
Debbie Yates, 42 of Best Street appeared at the Ararat Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to possession of cannabis, use of cannabis and two counts of possession of a controlled weapon.
On June 7, 2007 Ararat Police executed a search warrant at Yates' Best Street address. She lived at the address with a co-defendant.
During the search police located 16.2grams of cannabis in the kitchen, a silver container containing around twograms of cannabis mixed with tobacco and a container with 2.2grams of cannabis and cannabis seeds in it.
Police also located an ornamental knife and a cigarette lighter in the shape of a hand gun that fired a flame out of its barrel when its trigger was pulled. These items are regarded as controlled weapons, Yates had no excuse for possessing those weapons.
Yates' solicitor Ms Squarci said it was important to note the dagger was displayed on a wooden stand, and that the lighter had been given to Yates as a birthday present.
Ms Squarci said Yates had no intention of using the items as weapons but does admit being responsible for them.
Ms Squarci admitted Yates had a history of drug abuse.
"Ms Yates has advised me she has suffered from alcohol and cannabis use for 25 years," she said.
"In July last year she addressed her alcohol issues."
Ms Squarci said Yates had worked with the Grampians Community Health Centre on her issues and was continuing to work with her doctor.
Magistrate Andrew Capell placed Yates on an undertaking of good behaviour for 12 months and ordered she pay $200 to the court fund, these funds will be distributed to local charity.
He ordered that the weapons and drugs be forfeited to police for destruction.ARARAT - An ornamental dagger and lighter in the shape of a hand gun has resulted in a court appearance for an Ararat woman.
Debbie Yates, 42 of Best Street appeared at the Ararat Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to possession of cannabis, use of cannabis and two counts of possession of a controlled weapon.
On June 7, 2007 Ararat Police executed a search warrant at Yates' Best Street address. She lived at the address with a co-defendant.
During the search police located 16.2grams of cannabis in the kitchen, a silver container containing around twograms of cannabis mixed with tobacco and a container with 2.2grams of cannabis and cannabis seeds in it.
Police also located an ornamental knife and a cigarette lighter in the shape of a hand gun that fired a flame out of its barrel when its trigger was pulled. These items are regarded as controlled weapons, Yates had no excuse for possessing those weapons.
Yates' solicitor Ms Squarci said it was important to note the dagger was displayed on a wooden stand, and that the lighter had been given to Yates as a birthday present.
Ms Squarci said Yates had no intention of using the items as weapons but does admit being responsible for them.
Ms Squarci admitted Yates had a history of drug abuse.
"Ms Yates has advised me she has suffered from alcohol and cannabis use for 25 years," she said.
"In July last year she addressed her alcohol issues."
Ms Squarci said Yates had worked with the Grampians Community Health Centre on her issues and was continuing to work with her doctor.
Magistrate Andrew Capell placed Yates on an undertaking of good behaviour for 12 months and ordered she pay $200 to the court fund, these funds will be distributed to local charity.
He ordered that the weapons and drugs be forfeited to police for destruction.