MAN Convicted Of Causing Fatal Drug Death With Anti-Depressants
December 17, 2009
MAN Convicted Of Causing Fatal Drug Death With Anti-Depressants:Daniel Charles Riley, 39, of Burrier on the NSW south coast, was found guilty of one count of manslaughter and two of using poison to endanger life during a six-week trial in the NSW District Court.
He was sentenced today to a maximum 10 years in jail, with a non-parole period of seven-and-a-half years.
The court heard that Riley obtained anti-depressants including Auroix and Effexor from different doctors, and then gave the drugs to people he met in boarding houses and psychiatric institutions.
Two of the people Riley gave the drugs to, Shaun Bateson and Brian Hadfield, died in mid-2004 after swallowing them.
“The evidence shows he was aware of the dangers of the drugs being taken together,” Judge Anthony Blackmore said in Sydney’s Downing Centre District court today.
Riley was well aware of the risks of taking the drugs together, Judge Blackmore said, because he had been admitted to hospital himself after taking them.
The court heard Riley referred to the medication as “his lollies” and told one person who took them, Michael Wilson, that he would get a better high “if he took them with beer”.
“There was evidence Mr Wilson was sick for a few days after taking the medication,” Judge Blackmore said.
The court heard Riley had a long history of mental illness, including chronic depression.
“He used (drugs) to lift the effect of depression when nothing else would help him,” Judge Blackmore said.
The court heard Riley approached different doctors to obtain his medication because he knew it was dangerous to take them together.
In sentencing Riley, Judge Blackmore said he was not convinced he would not reoffend.
“The offender has a long criminal history,” he said.
Article from: News.com.au
