A 44-year-old man who stole four Romney sheep and had drugs and a firearm has been ordered to complete community work and undertake drug and alcohol counselling.
Dennis Rangiaho Hohua pleaded guilty to theft of the sheep from a Masterton farm on December 10 last year, possession of a firearm, illegal possession of the prescribed drug Clonazepan, cultivation of cannabis and possession of a Mossburg .308 rifle and ammunition when he appeared before Judge Barbara Morris in Masterton District Court last week.
Defence lawyer Frank Minehan told the court the rifle and drugs were for Hohua's use, not commercial gain.
"You have been before the court for cannabis a number of times ... If you come before the court again for drugs you will be going to jail," Judge Morris said.
She told Hohua to make good use of the sentence imposed.
