August 05, 2011

Crown drops kidnap, blackmail prosecution

By David Clarkson Air Force Museum, Wigram

The crown has abandoned the drugs, blackmail, and kidnapping trial that was under way in the High Court in Christchurch when the February 22 earthquake struck.

Justice Lester Chisholm dismissed the charges at a High Court call-over at the Air Force Museum at Wigram today, ending a long-running prosecution of two people.

Prosecutor Phil Shamy said the crown was ?not in a position to offer any evidence? in the case.

If the trial had proceeded, it would have been the third time the matter had been heard.

A trial was abandoned in October when legal problems arose, and the three or four day trial was then scheduled to begin the day before the big earthquake that closed the central city and left the Court House inside the red zone.

The jury trial was under way on the fourth floor of the Court House when the quake struck and was immediately abandoned.

On trial was Brigitte Benetta Rodger, 51, a Rangiora mother, on a charge of possessing a class A drug for supply. Both Rodger and Sharn Desmond Alex Holdem, aged 28, faced blackmail and kidnapping charges.

Margaret Sewell appeared as defence counsel for Holdem, and Ruth Buddicom appeared for Rodger.

More than a year ago, Rodger admitted separate charges of conspiring to supply methamphetamine and cannabis, and possession of methamphetamine for supply, and was remanded in custody for sentence, which was then delaying pending trial.