Actor fined $250 for growing cannabis

Press, 3 February 1979, Page 5

Actor fined $250 for growing cannabis

A free-lance actor who grew 34 cannabis plants near his home was fined $250 by Mr K. W. Frampton, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. I The Magistrate told RusI sell Arthur Francis Smith, ■aged 27, that the cultivation |of cannabis for a person’s own use was becoming one of the most common drug offences coming before the courts each day. He said he could only asI sume that those doing so iwere unaware of the penalties involved which, in cases (coming within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court, was a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine of $2OOO.

Sergeant C. J. Shannahan said that at 10.30 a.m. on J anuary 30 the Lyttelton

police searched the defendant’s residence. They found 34 cannabis plants, varying in height from Ift to 3ft, in six separate places within a short distance of the defendant’s house.

Smith had told the police that he was a regular user of cannabis and that the plants were for his own use.

Counsel (Mr M. J. Glue) said that his client, "someone quite prominent in his profession,” had been “astounded” that there had been so many plants. Smith had rationalised their cultivation by saying that as the plants were only intended for his own use he had not been harming anyone else. Because of the number of plants involved the Magistrate refused to suppress the defendant’s name. ABDUCTION ALLEGED A labourer, aged 24, ac= cused of abducting and attempting to rape an Australian teacher, was further remanded to February 16 for psychiatric assessment. John Douglas Bennett is charged with attempting to

rape the 23-year-old teacher, who was in New Zealand on holiday. He is further charged with assaulting her with intent to abduct her, taking her with the intention of having sexual intercourse without her consent, and being armed with an offensive weapon — a knife, on January 24. GAMING CHARGE Kenneth Bunyan, aged 47, a clerical worker, was further remanded until Monday on a charge of conducting an illegal lottery on January 30. Bunyan, who was granted continuance of bail, told the Magistrate that a plea would be entered on Monday. THEFT CHARGE Peter John Robinson, aged 30, a machine operator, was remanded without plea to February 9 on a charge of theft. Robinson is alleged to have stolen a $2500 car in Christchurch on January 31. He was allowed bail of $4OO and ordered to report eachday to the police.