Sydney Morning Herald
July 26, 2011
Evidence given by former NSW crime fighter Mark Standen about a Dubai meeting with a drug trafficker turned informant and a businessman was "fanciful", a Sydney jury has been told.
Crown prosecutor Tim Game SC alleged the meeting between Standen, major drug trafficker turned informant James Kinch and foodstuffs businessman Bakhos "Bill" Jalalaty was to advance a drug plot.
Standen's lover, Louise Baker, was at the dinner and has told the jury of writing in her diary that Kinch thought "I wasn't to be trusted".
Standen's evidence 'fanciful': court
Evidence given by former NSW crime fighter Mark Standen about a Dubai meeting with a drug trafficker turned informant and a businessman was "fanciful", a Sydney jury has been told.
Crown prosecutor Tim Game SC alleged the meeting between Standen, major drug trafficker turned informant James Kinch and foodstuffs businessman Bakhos "Bill" Jalalaty was to advance a drug plot.
Standen's lover, Louise Baker, was at the dinner and has told the jury of writing in her diary that Kinch thought "I wasn't to be trusted".
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"That does not make any sense unless these people are engaged in various activities," Mr Game said in the crown's closing address in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Standen, 54, denies conspiring with Kinch and Jalalaty, between early 2006 and June 2008, to import pseudoephedrine, which is used to make the drugs speed and ice.
He also has pleaded not guilty to taking part in the supply of 300kg of the substance and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Mr Game said Standen claimed the January 2007 Dubai meeting was to be a "celebration" of the first dividends to be paid from an investment.
He described this account as "fanciful", noting the significance of a face-to-face meeting between Standen, Kinch and Jalalaty.
The jury could infer the meeting provided them with an opportunity to discuss things such as setting up Hotmail accounts for their communications.
Mr Game also referred to Ms Baker's diary entry.
"Why would Mr Kinch assume she was not trustworthy?" he said.
"Obviously it had been a matter of displeasure to Mr Kinch that Mr Standen turned up with Mr Baker, because how will they have a conversation about their activities in the presence of Louise Baker?"
He noted Ms Baker said she asked Standen about Kinch's concern and was told it was because she worked in law enforcement.
"Well, Mr Standen works with law enforcement.
"She was a monitor for the Crime Commission. Mr Standen was one of the two heads of investigation."
Mr Game said when he asked Standen why Kinch would be nervous about her, he replied: "You will have to ask him".
Standen also gave evidence saying Kinch may have been worried on Standen's behalf.
"It does not make sense, the unease is about the various activities taking place," Mr Game said.
The trial is continuing before Justice Bruce James.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Mark Standen allegedly 'lied without pause'
July 25, 2011 1:44PM
FORMER NSW crime fighter Mark Standen transparently "lied without pause" during the 25 days he was in the witness box at his drugs trial, a jury has been told.
Crown Prosecutor Tim Game SC said Standen told "many, many, many demonstrable lies over many days".
Mr Game was beginning the Crown's final address on Monday at Standen's trial in the NSW Supreme Court, which began in March.
Standen, 54, a former assistant director at the NSW Crime Commission, has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with drug dealer turned informant James Kinch and foodstuffs businessman Bakhos "Bill" Jalalaty, between early 2006 and June 2008, to import pseudoephedrine, which is used to make the drugs speed and ice.
He also has denied taking part in the supply of 300kg of the substance and conspiring to pervert the course of justice by using his knowledge to frustrate a drug importation prosecution.
Mr Game noted that Standen gave evidence-in-chief over 16 days and was cross-examined for eight or nine days.
"It is not a nice thing to say, but he lied without pause for 25 days and transparently so," he said.
Standen had also lied "many, many times" in his police record of interview, he added.
Mr Game said the Crown case in respect to how all this developed went back to 2003 when an improper relationship began between Standen and Kinch.
Kinch was arrested in 2003 in Sydney for drug and proceeds of crime offences.
He left the country after charges against him were dropped and he forfeited more than $900,000 to the Commission.
"By the time of his arrest, Mr Kinch was a major international drug trafficker," Mr Game said.
Kinch had manipulated the system successfully and Standen had been doing everything he could to help him, Mr Game told the court.
The trial is continuing before Justice Bruce James.
FORMER NSW crime fighter Mark Standen transparently "lied without pause" during the 25 days he was in the witness box at his drugs trial, a jury has been told.
Crown Prosecutor Tim Game SC said Standen told "many, many, many demonstrable lies over many days".
Mr Game was beginning the Crown's final address on Monday at Standen's trial in the NSW Supreme Court, which began in March.
Standen, 54, a former assistant director at the NSW Crime Commission, has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with drug dealer turned informant James Kinch and foodstuffs businessman Bakhos "Bill" Jalalaty, between early 2006 and June 2008, to import pseudoephedrine, which is used to make the drugs speed and ice.
He also has denied taking part in the supply of 300kg of the substance and conspiring to pervert the course of justice by using his knowledge to frustrate a drug importation prosecution.
Mr Game noted that Standen gave evidence-in-chief over 16 days and was cross-examined for eight or nine days.
"It is not a nice thing to say, but he lied without pause for 25 days and transparently so," he said.
Standen had also lied "many, many times" in his police record of interview, he added.
Mr Game said the Crown case in respect to how all this developed went back to 2003 when an improper relationship began between Standen and Kinch.
Kinch was arrested in 2003 in Sydney for drug and proceeds of crime offences.
He left the country after charges against him were dropped and he forfeited more than $900,000 to the Commission.
"By the time of his arrest, Mr Kinch was a major international drug trafficker," Mr Game said.
Kinch had manipulated the system successfully and Standen had been doing everything he could to help him, Mr Game told the court.
The trial is continuing before Justice Bruce James.