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Image: Blind Justice. Credit: Charles Sturt Uni.

Australian, Joshua James Baker, 32, who was facing a maximum sentence of 15 years for drug smuggling, saw leniency from judges at Denpasar court yesterday as he was sentenced to time in rehab because of a history of depression.

The verdict, which was read by head judge I Wayan Kawisada, stated that the defendant must carry out a 10 month rehabilitation at Bali Kasih Kita Foundation on Jalan Muhammad Yamin, Denpasar. The judge did not explain the reason why they chose that foundation, even though the defendant’s rehab had already begun at Bangli Psychiatric Hospital some time ago.

“The judges decided that the defendant was guilty and violated the country’s narcotic laws and sentenced the defendant to 10 months in custody. The defendant must carry out a rehabilitation process during his sentence on Bali Kasih Kita Foundation (Yakita Bali),” said the judge, as quoted by beritabali.com.

“He was proven to not be part of drug network or a dealer, that he was a user because of the mental and health problems,” the judge said.

The public prosecution, which was led by Assri Susantina, S.H., is still considering the decision because her team had asked for a 12 month jail sentence.

Baker was arrested at Bali’s international airport in October after a customs officer noticed his “nervous and suspicious” behaviour. Officers searched Baker and found 28 grams of marijuana mixed with tobacco as well as 37 tablets of the prescription drug Diazepam, an anti-depressant medication.