Lotto millionaire sent for trial on cannabis charges

A Timaru man who won $1.3 million in Lotto four years ago will face trial later this year on charges of possessing cannabis for supply and cultivating cannabis.

Rodney Wayne Innes, 53, appeared in Timaru District Court this week for a depositions hearing before Justices of the Peace Kevin Dey and Judith Johnson.

In July 2001 Innes gained international fame after winning $1.3 million from a Lotto ticket given to him for his 50th birthday.

Police told the court they found 1.164kg of cannabis material at his address and hydroponic equipment stored in his garage, but Innes claimed the majority of the cannabis was not his.

He said it belonged to a cousin who had moved to Bangkok and Innes had assisted in cleaning out the man's flat.

At the conclusion of the hearing, defence counsel Sarah Saunderson-Warner conceded there was a case to answer as Innes was in possession of more than 28 grams of cannabis -- the amount considered by police to be the threshold for possession for supply .

Detective Grant Lord said he found two tins of cannabis head material in Innes' garden, cannabis root material and plant stalks in a bin and the hydroponic equipment.

Under cross-examination, he admitted the hydroponic equipment was not in use, said he had not requested Innes' power bill to check consumption, and had not tested the quality of the cannabis found.

The cannabis was not packaged for sale and some of it was mouldy.

Senior Constable Kevin McErlain said he asked Innes if there was any cannabis at the address and he gave him four grams of cannabis from his pocket saying that was all.

Two cannabis plants were found in the conservatory garden.

Mr McErlain said Innes told him he had the cannabis as a result of doing a favour for a friend who was moving.

Innes was remanded on bail to appear in Timaru District Court on April 15 for a trial date to be set.

- NZPA