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A man arrested after police discovered a methamphetamine laboratory in Christchurch on Monday was refused bail in Christchurch District Court today.
Benn Francis Millward, 30, a plasterer, faces charges of manufacturing methamphetamine and neglecting his duty to provide the necessaries of life for a girl, aged six, and a boy, eight, so that their lives were endangered.
Millward, who was arrested in Christchurch yesterday, made no plea to those charges, but pleaded guilty through counsel David Ruth to breaching a sentence of community work.
Mr Ruth asked Judge Philip Moran to allow Millward bail, saying any trial on the methamphetamine charges was unlikely to be held before next year and Millward faced a long period on remand.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Franco Lovrich opposed the bail application, saying the charges were serious and Millward was considered a flight risk.
Millward was the second person arrested and charged after police found the methamphetamine laboratory at a suburban Shirley property while visiting the premises on an unrelated matter. Two young children were at the house.
Desiree Antonia Bastiaanse, a 26-year-old mother, was allowed bail when she appeared in court yesterday charged with allowing her premises to be used for making drugs and endangering her children.
Duty solicitor Karen Feltham said Bastiaanse would deny both charges. She was remanded for a pre-depositions conference on September 14.
Bastiaanse was back at court today -- sitting in the public gallery exchanging glances and signals with Millward as he stood in the dock.
Judge Moran refused Millward bail, telling him he feared he would "do something stupid, like running away".
He remanded Millward in custody for a pre-depositions conference on August 16.
- NZPA
