It's a case of mistaken identity, courier insists

A drug courier whose testimony led to his alleged supplier being tried yesterday radically changed his version and said in court the accused was not the man who had given him the drugs but only happened to be known by the same name as the real dealer.

Gregory Eyre, who admitted to being a mule in a Spain to Malta drug deal in 2003, yesterday named a certain Andrew Woodhouse as his supplier who, he said, was also known as Mark Stephens, as the accused is called.

Mr Eyre, a UK national, was testifying in the trial by jury of Mark Stephens, a co-national, who is accused of conspiring to import three kilogrammes of cocaine and over 7,100 ecstasy pills before and in 2003.

Mr Stephens had been extradited from Spain in 2005 after being away from Spain for two years.

During the compilation of evidence before the Magistrates' Court, Mr Eyre had identified the Mark Stephens standing trial as the man who had supplied him with the drugs.

Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono, presiding over the trial, warned the witness that perjury could cost him a maximum of life imprisonment, the same jail term as that faced by the accused if convicted.

But Mr Eyre insisted on his version, exonerating the accused.

Mr Eyre, together with his girlfriend Susan Molyneaux, had been arrested at Luqa airport after being found in possession of five gift-wrapped packets containing the drugs in their luggage. Mr Eyre has since been jailed for 15 years and fined €58,250 after pleading guilty to the charges. Ms Molyneaux was released after the Attorney General withdrew the bill of indictment he had filed against her.

The Constitutional Court in 2005 had decreed that Ms Molyneaux's fundamental human right to a fair trial was likely to have been breached by the provisions of section 26 (2) of the Dangerous Drug Ordinance.

Consequently, the Attorney General withdrew the bill of indictment issued against her and the judge presiding over the case ordered her release.

According to the bill of indictment, Ms Molyneaux did not specifically know that drugs were to be imported but was convinced something illegal was about to be brought into Malta.

Mr Eyre testified that he knew Mr Stephens because his former girlfriend used to work for him. He claimed that he was given the drugs by a man called Andrew Woodhouse, who was also known as Mark Stephens, adding that he was promised about £15,000 for taking the drugs to Malta.

Mr Stephens, who testified after Mr Eyre, protested his innocence, insisting that the drugs had nothing to do with him. He said he was sure that Ms Molyneaux had nothing to do with the drugs either. "Mr Eyre sent me a letter in prison saying he was going to ruin me as I had slept with his girlfriend. He threatened to shoot me but that was the cocaine talking".

He added that Mr Woodhouse was never a friend of his but acknowledged he knew the man and had even been involved in a big fight with him in Malta.

The trial continues.

Assistant Attorney General Lawyer Anthony Barbara prosecuted. Lawyer Joe Brincat appeared for Mr Stephens.