Bali drug accused Ricky Shane Rawson claims meth was ‘pain reliever’ after mum’s death

A Melbourne man facing a lengthy jail sentence in Bali over drug charges has told a court that he turned to methamphetamine to handle the stress caused by his mother’s death.

• Aussie charged with headbutting Bali taxi driver
• Aussie mum gets Bali jail term reduced

Melbourne man Ricky Shane Rawson has told a Bali court that he turned to using methamphetamine to handle the stress caused by his mother’s death.

Rawson, 56, of South Kingsville, is accused of violating two articles of Indonesia’s

narcotics law, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years’ jail.

Following a tip off to police by a member of the public, Rawson was arrested in his Legian hotel last October, allegedly in possession of 0.09 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe or ‘bong’, which is typically used to smoke narcotics.

Ricky Shane Rawson told the court he used meth to cope with his mother’s death. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Rawson served time in Bali’s dreaded Kerobokan jail in 2011 for holding 0.06 grams of the same drug, which is known in Bali as Shabu Shabu. He spent four months in ‘Hotel K’.

Chief of Judges Heriyanti heard that Rawson had been using meth not only for stress, but abused the narcotic to reduce pain.

“I am stressed because my mother died and I (use meth) to treat pain after surgery on my leg,” Rawson told the court.

He also said that he started using the drug ten years ago and had never done a rehabilitation program until his arrest in October.

The accused man has already served time in Kerobokan. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

Melbourne man Ricky Shane Rawson arrives at court. Picture: Lukman S. Bintoro

After his arrest, Rawson underwent rehabilitation in Bali’s Bhayangkara Hospital and is now detained in Anargya Sober House.

Typically, Indonesia’s judicial system treats drug users more leniently than it does convicted narcotics traffickers who face harsh punishments including the death sentence.

“(I started using) ten years ago then for a long time I did not use. But now I was

using again for four months before being caught,” Rawson told the court.

Rawson, who had been on holiday in Bali since May 2019, said that he did not use methamphetamine in Australia and that in Bali he knew someone who could find the

drugs for him.

Ricky Shane Rawson is now detained in Anargya Sober House. Picture. Lukman S. Bintoro

Police are still searching or a man named Reza, who Rawson allegedly bought the

meth from for IDR700,000 ($67) and allegedly took turns in smoking from a glass

pipe.

Prosecutor Mr Dewa Nyoman Wira Adiputra said that Rawson and Reza did not finish the packet of meth, which the Australian put into his wallet and returned to his hotel.

At a 2am police officers Mr Gusti Ngurah Ari Mahendra and Mr Nyoman Mangku

Putu arrived at the hotel and searched Rawson and his room.

“The defendant was arrested after we received information from the public. When we

searched (Rawson’s room) we found a packet of methamphetamine in his wallet. The

defendant claimed the wallet as his,” said a statement from the two officers.

The trial continues in Denpasar District Court on January 22.

Originally published as Bali drug accused Ricky Shane Rawson claims meth was ‘pain reliever’ after mum’s death