AN ACCUSED drug cook has been released on bail as prosecutors wait for an expert opinion to see if the alleged manufacturing in his home was harmful to his children.
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Paul John Cramp stands accused of manufacturing a drug and exposing it to a child after detectives discovered a sophisticated drug lab set up in a Jennings home near Tenterfield.
Specialist forensic and scientific officers were called from Sydney to dismantle the lab after investigators seized amphetamines, cannabis, drug equipment and glassware from the location.
The Crown maintains the 35-year-old allegedly exposed his children to harmful substances, but Armidale Local Court heard yesterday a forensic chemist report can not produce an expert opinion.
“(It) doesn’t address the toxicology issue, which doesn’t address the harm to the children,” Crown prosecutor Ben Barrack told the court.
Mr Barrack said the DPP had sought a pharmacologist report on any potential harm caused, but it would take at least six weeks, further delaying the case.
“Bail would not be opposed on certain conditions,” he said of Cramp’s part-heard bail application which resumed yesterday.
The court was told Cramp, who appeared via video link from Bathurst Correctional Centre, was looking to return home while the case progresses.
Solicitor Patrick Kennedy said his client will attend rehabilitation if released and would agree not to contact any of his children, adding they wanted to see the fresh specialist report completed.
“The defence will be assisted by such a report,” he said.
“It seems to be addressing a major issue in contention.”
Cramp has been in custody since his February arrest and is facing six charges, including manufacturing a prohibited drug as well as exposing it to a child, possessing prohibited drugs and cultivating a prohibited plant.
Magistrate Karen Stafford granted conditional bail on the basis Cramp does not approach the children involved in the case and he reports to Tenterfield police every day.
He’s also been ordered to post $2000 to secure his release.
The case will head back to court in September.