Gun for protection after 'mum took out a hit on me'

Adam Kearns claims he owned a gun for his own protection against Black Widow mum

Claims by the son of Black Widow killer Helen Milner that his "old lady is paying for a hit to be put on me" have been backed by Milner's former sister-in-law.

Adam Kearns, 23, urged media to report his claims he was the subject of a planned contract killing when he appeared in Christchurch District Court on charges of dealing cannabis and possession of a Taser and a shotgun.

"The reason for having a shotgun is that the police approached me to say that I have got a hit out on my head from my mother who is in prison," Kearns told Justice of the Peace Nick Atkins.

The claim was denied by police prosecutor Iain Patton, who said Kearns' claims were "unfounded".

Lee-Anne Cartier, the sister of Milner's murder victim, Phil Nisbet, said she was at a meeting when police told Kearns of the contract.

She said they were told by police that a gang member was paid a "considerable amount of money" to kill Kearns.

"Adam's a sitting duck. Him being in police custody scares the s*** out of me. The blood will be on that police prosecutor's hands who said the claims were rubbish."

Cartier said she attended a meeting with a detective inspector at which the contract was discussed.

"He only got that gun after the police told him there was a hit out on him. The gun, that was protection. He's not perfect, but what teenager is? Especially one that's been brought up by that piece of s***, who has never been a mother."

Lee-Anne was with Adam when he was arrested by armed police on Friday. "That was the worst experience of my life. The police have kept saying that they want us to keep our mouth shut."

Kearns, who earlier this month won a $55,000 compensation claim against Milner, faced 11 charges when he appeared in Christchurch District Court.

The charges include possession of cannabis for purpose of supply, three charges that on Friday he sold cannabis to people over 18, possession of a P pipe, possession of a bong, a Taser, and a shotgun, while also breaching a protection order, and assaulting a man twice - on October 28 and November 19.

Earlier this month, Kearns - who testified against his mother in her murder trial last year - won $55,000 from Milner after she framed him and put him behind bars.

Milner was jailed for two years and eight months after sending herself death threats and claiming they were from her son.

Milner is serving a life term with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years for the murder of second husband Nisbet in 2009.