Garry Howarth, Kaye Hewett in court over alleged drug operation

An elderly couple allegedly behind an inner city heroin supply ring were beamed before a court grey haired and bespectacled in their prison greens with one of them clutching a walking stick.

UPDATE

An elderly couple allegedly behind an inner city heroin supply ring were beamed before a court grey haired and bespectacled in their prison greens with one of them clutching a walking stick.

Garry Brian Howarth, 72, and Kaye Lorrell Hewett, 62, are each charged with supplying a commercial quantity of heroin.

They appeared via videolink before Central Local Court on Tuesday (June 8) where their cases were listed for committal.

Hewett, who is on remand at Silverwater Correctional Complex, had her reading glasses perched on her head and her walking stick propped against the table as she jotted down notes throughout proceedings.

Howarth, who is at the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre in Kempsey, donned a baseball cap and glasses, shuffling slowly out of the room after the hearing had concluded.

Neither applied for bail.

Their co-accused Jerred Isac Andrew Abra, 41, who is charged with taking part in the commercial supply of heroin also had his case mentioned.

Magistrate Robert Williams adjourned all three matters until July 13 for further brief orders so they can match up with proceedings against the fourth co-accused Daniel Doughty, 44.

EARLIER

BY GARY HAMILTON-IRVINE ON FEBRUARY 25 2021

An elderly man and his partner have been arrested alongside two other people during a heroin bust in Sydney’s inner city.

All have appeared before courts over the last two days with court documents revealing that police allegedly uncovered the supply of 260g of heroin in Surry Hills during January and February.

Police raided the home of Garry Howarth, 72, and partner Kaye Hewett, 62, on Wednesday morning on Edgely St in Surry Hills, using a crowbar and battering ram to break down the front door before arresting the pair.

Looking worse for wear, they appeared in Central Local Court on Thursday and both unsuccessfully applied for bail, citing their ongoing medical issues and age.

They are charged with supply prohibited drug greater (commercial quantity).

Hewett’s legal aid lawyer told the court her client was very unwell and she had recently suffered an “internal bleed”, resulting in her being admitted to hospital and receiving three blood transfusions among other procedures.

Hewett also told the court while people often visited her house “they did not go away with anything” and “I did not have anything at the time”.

A 62-year-old woman was among the four arrested.

A 72-year-old partner has been charged.

The arrests came as a result of a three-month investigation into Sydney heroin supply.

Two other men were also arrested.

Howarth’s legal aid lawyer also referred to his medical issues, which included mobility problems and a back issue, as well as his old age which would make his time in custody difficult.

However, the prosecutor told the court in both matters there was a lengthy amount of police evidence which included “multiple phone intercepts and police observations over a lengthy period of time”.

The court also heard both Hewett and Howarth have criminal records which include previous drug offences.

Magistrate Margaret Quinn refused bail for both co-accused, noting a very strong prosecution case in both matters and there being medical treatment available in hospital.

Two other men Jerred Abra, 41, and Daniel Doughty, 44, were also arrested on Wednesday and have been charged with knowingly take part in the supply of a prohibited drug (greater than commercial quantity).

Abra was arrested at a unit in Waterloo, where police allegedly seized heroin among other items, and he appeared in Central Local Court on Thursday.

The court heard he has no drug offences on his record and this was his first time in custody.

He claimed that he was visiting a house in Surry Hills simply to check on someone’s welfare and was not supplying drugs. However, he was refused bail.

Meanwhile, Doughty, who was arrested while driving through Chifley, fronted Waverley Local Court on Wednesday where he did not apply for bail.

Inquiries are continuing.