JUDGE GAGS DRUG PROSECUTOR

A provincial court judge muzzled a drug prosecutor from having a say
as a city man was sentenced for running a marijuana grow operation in
a Thelma Avenue home.

Federal Crown attorney Alain Perron objected to a fine, and said
probation is even worse. But Ontario Court Justice Louisette
Duchesneau-McLachlan took the unusual step of placing the pot producer
on probation for two years without hearing the Crown's
recommendation.

A decision is usually made after both sides have had a chance to make
a submission.

William Pearce, 26, pleaded guilty Tuesday to producing
marijuana.

Ontario Provincial Police and the North Bay Police Service searched
the house in January after getting a warrant and found a grow-op in
the basement with 41 plants in various stages of growth.

Police also seized about 60 grams of marijuana, seeds, electrical
ballasts and powerful sodium bulbs used to grow plants indoors.

Police claim the potential street value of the seized plants is about
$40,000, although a value wasn't given in court.

A similar charge against Donna Dewolf, 36, was withdrawn.