Addict gets two years for drug dealing

JAILED: Christopher Stanley Behan Kitto's health is not good as a result of his addiction. PHOTO/STAFF

A 63-year-old South Wairarapa man who sold "P" to fund his drug habit has been jailed for two years.

Christopher Stanley Behan Kitto was arrested with a tick list, cash and 21 small plastic snap lock bags of methamphetamine and cash after police witnessed him selling cannabis tinnies from his Martinborough home.

When he appeared before Judge Bruce Davidson in Masterton District Court, defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt submitted his client sold the drugs to feed his addiction.

He said a sentence of home detention would allow Kitto the opportunity to continue drug and alcohol treatment.

Judge Davidson said three previous drug convictions between 1980 and 2011 were aggravating features of the offending along with the fact it was an "obvious commercial" drug dealing operation Kitto was running at the time.

He said Kitto had previously lost his home as a result of drug dealing.

It was clear he was a drug addict.

On March 18, police witnessed cannabis being sold from Kitto's Martinborough home and, on searching the property, found 21 small bags containing about 2 grams of methamphetamine worth about $1200 alongside two mature cannabis plants.

Kitto earlier pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine for supply, cultivating cannabis and dealing cannabis.

It was clear Kitto was an addict and dealer and was heavily involved in the drug scene, Judge Davidson said.

"It is clear you are heavily entrenched as a drug addict, user and dealer ... last time you lost your home, sadly," he said.

A pre-sentence report showed Kitto's health was not good as a result of his addiction.

"Unless you can truly grapple with your addiction and beat it, the prognosis for you is not that great ... sadly people say it's a lot easier said than done," Judge Davidson added.

Home detention was appropriate.

"You are deeply embedded in the drug scene in the Wairarapa."

He sentenced Kitto to two years' jail with six months' post release conditions to attend drug counselling.

No leave was given for home detention to be applied for.