FOUR MONTHS PRISON FOR CANNABIS GROWER

A Hokianga man charged with possession and cultivation of cannabis was
jailed for four months when he appeared before Judge Stanley Thorburn at
the Kaikohe District Court last week.

The court heard that 49-year old Derek Peehikuru was found in an
environment "pervaded by cannabis" including more than 400 plants, both
large and small, 1.5kg of dried or drying cannabis plant material, and
primitive indoor growing apparatus in a wardrobe.

Judge Thorburn accepted a lawyer's explanation that although the quantity
of cannabis material found was large, there was no commercial element to
the offending.

"Here's a man who is making no secret of his involvement with cannabis,"
the Judge said.

"His history has its own sadness with injuries sustained in a (road)
accident changing his character and taking its toll on his personal life."

Judge Thorburn said Peehikuru was a bit ambivalent about rehabilitation and
that, as a mature man, he ought to demonstrate some form of mentor image to
younger people.

The four months' prison sentence was aimed at delivering a public deterrent
message, the Judge said.

On a separate charge of dangerous driving, Peehikuru was disqualified for
six months.

Judge Thorburn gave Peehikuru leave to apply for home detention.