A BRAZEN display of drug use at Robertson Park in broad daylight has led to two Orange men receiving suspended sentences in Orange Local Court.
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Trevor Ian Crawford, 52, and Paul Robert Hohnberg, 48, both of Maxwell Avenue, faced court on Monday to plead guilty to self-administering prohibited drugs.
According to police facts, police received a call from a member of the public on March 16just after 2pm saying there was a group of people "shooting up drugs" at the park's water fountain.
Police found the pair walking along Summer Street after they were pointed out by members of the public.
After Crawford initially denied they took drugs, police pointed out a puncture wound on his arm and he admitted to taking speed in the park, while Hohnberg admitted they took the drugs together.
Police observed about 20 people were using the park at the time of the incident and the person who contacted police was with a small child.
Their solicitor, Gerard Stapleton, told the court the substance had been quite diluted and asked for the matter to be dealt with through fines.
"You can see from the facts this is quite brazen by both gentlemen being in Robertson Park," he said.
Magistrate Terry Lucas took into account their extensive criminal histories and gave them each a 12-month suspended sentence.
"It's the public viewing that concerns me," he said.
