Cannabis grower beats jail

A Wairarapa man who simultaneously lost his home and exposed his "sophisticated" cannabis-growing operation has escaped a prison sentence.

Presiding Judge Ian Mill said the operation "came very close to what I would consider to be a commercial operation".

"However, I am prepared to deal with it without a prison sentence," Judge Mill said.

James Frederick Hannon, 28, appeared in Masterton District Court on Thursday having pleaded guilty to possession and cultivation of cannabis at an earlier appearance.

According to the police summary of facts, the fire service were called to Hannon's house in Manaia Rd, Masterton, on June 20 as smoke was seen coming from the roof. Hannon was away at the time. Firefighters noticed a cannabis-growing operation in one of the rooms and contacted police. A spare room converted into a hydroponic cannabis plant-growing operation was discovered, complete with an electric-powered hydration system, indoor lighting and a number of electronic transformers.

Police found more than 30 plants, at various stages of growth, throughout the house. They also located a plastic container holding 75 grams of dried cannabis. In the bedroom they found more dried cannabis, some packaged in snaplock "ounce" bags weighing a further 177 grams.

Hannon admitted it was all his and said he had been growing it for about nine months for personal use.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said since the fire Hannon had moved in with his father and had stopped using cannabis. He said Hannon had subsequently lost his job but was due to start a new one next week.

Judge Mill said there had been a large amount of cannabis. "It was quite a sophisticated operation."

He sentenced Hannon to 200 hours' community work and six months' supervision.