“Finding solace in a glass pipe”

A judge apprehensively hopes a Netherby man can “shake methamphetamine” before it consumes him.

Zack Scott, 31, was charged with possessing an offensive weapon, a utensil for methamphetamine and for being found with the drug in his system.

Lawyer Grant Fletcher said Scott was a “young man with great potential, whose life has been affected by a crystal meth addiction.”

“Until relatively recently was a prosocial… member of society.

“He’s a father of two children, one of whom was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer.

“He’s made his situation worse by finding solace in a glass pipe.”

He said it was “very sad” to see a 31 year old with a good life end up in the courtroom, but that he was determined to turn his life back around.

Judge Savage said that was easier said than done.

“I’ve never heard a methamphetamine story that ends well. Hopefully, that can be you.”

Savage sentenced Scott to 12 months of supervision, was disqualified from holding a licence for six months and an order was made for destruction of the meth tools.

“I really hope you can shake methamphetamine.

“Commit with everything you’ve got.”

Overspending

A Fairton man has ended up in court for spending someone else’s money.

Sean William Roche, 50, faced four charges of illegally using a bank card.

In one instance he spent $600 at a rugby club.

“Apart from a drink driving matter a few years ago, this is his first appearance,” lawyer Grant Fletcher said.

“It was [purely] opportunistic.”

Roche cares for his son and work opportunities have “dried up” at the moment.

“The stigma of a conviction would be quite big in and of itself,” Fletcher said.

Judge Savage said a substantial amount was spent by Roche.

“What’s he buying at the rugby club to the cost of 600 dollars?”

Roche received 60 hours of community work and must make reparations for the squandered amount.

14 previous convictions

Shane Robert Key, 52, was in court after being stopped driving while disqualified and refusing an officer’s request to partake in a drug test.

Lawyer Keith Owen said there was an “underlying addiction issue,” in Key’s case.

He’d provided the court with a letter from Te Whatu Ora that supported the argument that Key had been battling the addiction.

“It does seem like he is making some effort, sir.”

Judge Savage wasn’t convinced by the letter.

“The fact you went and saw Te Whatu Ora ten days ago after a long term addiction…”

He also noted that Key had 14 previous convictions for driving-related offences.

Owen said Key had entered an “early guilty plea,” but by Savage’s standards it was not early – it took several not guilty pleas and five months for Key to admit.

Savage sentenced him to 16 months of imprisonment, with leave to apply for conversion to a community or home sentence.

He will also be subject to alcohol interlock provisions for the next four years.

Gang insignia

Bradley John Ngaronoa, 45, was charged with illegally wearing gang insignia.

The man from Greymouth had been in custody after being caught wearing a shirt with insignia on it.

Judge Savage dismissed the charge and Ngaronoa was free to go.

“How do I get my t-shirt back?” he asked the court before he left.

“It was seized at Rolleston police station,” police prosecutor Sergeant Stuart Whyte said.

“Get in touch with them when you’re released.”

Risk of losing house

An Ashburton man was at risk of losing his house after a long stint in police custody.

James Phillip Kenny, 32, pleaded guilty to charges of contravening a protection order.

Part of that related to a slug gun which had been found on Kenny’s property.

“There was no suggestion it would be used of ill purposes,” lawyer Grant Fletcher said.

He said Kenny had been in custody “for quite some time,” and if he remained there much longer, he would lose his house.

Its location created some logistical issues, Fletcher said.

“Because of the small town, but also because his house is quite close to where the complainant lives, it’s caused some problems.”

Despite that, Fletcher asked the judge for a sentence of supervision.

“You’ve spent a not insignificant time in custody,” Judge Savage said to Kenny.

“While you’re not meant to have a firearm like a slug gun, it’s on the lower end of offending.”

He cancelled the custody sentence and ordered Kenny to undergo 12 months of supervision, and for destruction of the slug gun.

Fresh charges

Ross Dylen Hunt, 38, appeared in court to have his matters pushed to a new hearing date.

“Two fresh charges have been laid,” acting lawyer Grant Fletcher said, which were

“beyond [the] legal aid paygrade,” of Hunt’s designated lawyer.

The Rakaia man will reappear in early July.

Drink driving

David Geoffrey Greig, 53, was caught drink driving with a high level of breath alcohol.

Lawyer Paul Norcross said his case has been in the waiting line for a while.

He said Greig drink-driving level was “alarmingly high” for the breath alcohol levels the Ashburton District Court often dealt with.

The Hampstead man pleaded guilty and has been remanded until early August.

Not guilty pleas

Clifford James Duckmanton, 41, faced assault and drug related charges in the Ashburton District Court.

He pleaded guilty to charges of wilful damage, and possession of cannabis and a utensil for use.

On a charge of impeding breathing or blood circulation, and assaulting someone with intent to injure, he pleaded not guilty.

A case review hearing has been set down for early August.

Vinnie Luke Eaden Mckersey, 22, also pleaded not guilty in an unrelated case.

The Allenton man will appear for a case review hearing on a driving while suspended charge in early August.