High-profile Auckland gay community figure Anne Speir has been charged with possession of a multitude of drugs for supply and with manufacturing a Class B drug. The comedian and gay activist appeared in Auckland District Court on Thursday facing charges of possession of ecstasy, LSD, amphetamines and cannabis for supply. She has also been charged with producing ecstasy. More than $16,000 cash was allegedly found at her Housing New Zealand-owned home when it was raided in May. Speir has been released on bail pending another court appearance on July 5th. If she pleads not guilty she will face a jury trial. Contacted by GayNZ.com Daily News today she says she is unable to comment as the matter is before the court. The 55-year-old is a former chair of the Hero Trust and was recently on the steering group which successfully pushed for Auckland Pride, a glbti parade and festival which will be held in February 2013. She was also a temporary spokesperson for the short-lived Aotearoa Rainbow Alliance. A former TVNZ video editor, Speir has also worked on the Maori Television glbti show Takataapui. She is also a comedian and a regular performer at lesbian events.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 17th June 2012 - 2:17pm