Man bailed after woman's drug death

Johns allegedly measured a quantity of methadone and injected it with Miss Wilson. Photo / File

One of the two men arrested in relation to the death of Sanchia Wilson has been granted bail.

Sanchia Louise Wilson, 33, a newcomer to Wanganui, is believed to have died from drug-related causes after falling unconscious at a Castlecliff address on March 28.

She died in Wellington Hospital on April 1.

Clive Beach, 57, and Mathew Johns, 35 are both charged with supplying the class B drug, methadone.

Both men appeared in the Wanganui District Court yesterday to make bail applications, but only Beach, represented by Peter Brosnahan, was granted bail on the condition he adhere to a 24-hour curfew and did not associate with, or contact, Johns.

Johns, represented by Debbie Goodlet, was remanded in custody and both men will reappear in court on April 24. The reasoning behind Johns' bail decision was suppressed.

Police allege Beach, who is on a methadone programme, supplied a quantity of the drug to Johns on the day Miss Wilson died, and was on the property but not the same room, when it was supplied to her.

Johns was said to have known Miss Wilson for six weeks before March 28. He is said to have separately purchased a syringe and two needles so he could administer the drug to himself and Miss Wilson that morning.

Johns allegedly measured a quantity of methadone at a Castlecliff address, drew a syringe from it and took both into the toilet with Miss Wilson.

While there, it is alleged they both injected the drug, and left shortly after. Miss Wilson fell unconscious and was taken to Wanganui Hospital before being transferred to Wellington Hospital.