LAWYER FACING DRUGS CHARGES NAMES HIMSELF

Napier: Lawyer Philip Jensen confirmed this week he had been charged
with cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis for supply as a
result of a police search of his home last Friday.

The charges against Jensen (43) are to be called in court for the first
time on Friday and he said he would not be seeking name suppression.

"I voluntarily identify myself," he said. "I do not want any aspersions
cast on any other lawyer in this town, nor anywhere else in this
country.

"I am not a drug dealer and I will be defending the charges
vigorously."

Jensen said he would not be practising law in any court until the
matters were dealt with and added: "I do not want to embarrass the
judges. I hold them in high regard."

The lawyer has engaged Napier barrister Russell Fairbrother, who said
he and his client would do everything possible to see the matter was
resolved at an early date.

"I am ready and prepared to defend the matter immediately," he said.

Police searched Jensen's home on Friday morning and laid the charges
later in the day. The law says that amounts exceeding 28g may be
indicative of possible possession for supply.