P and cannabis dealer jailed for three years

Photo / Greg Bowker

A Whangarei man caught dealing methamphetamine and cannabis has been jailed for three years.

Home detention was rejected as an option for Lawrence Fenton when he appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court on 49 drugs charges.

They included two of supplying methamphetamine or P, nine of conspiracy to supply P, two of conspiracy to supply P with a co-accused, 33 of offering to supply P and three charges of offering to supply cannabis.

About 13g of methamphetamine worth $12,000 was involved.

Crown prosecutor David Stevens told the court Fenton, 36, had 62 previous convictions, including 10 in the Youth Court.

Fenton's lawyer, Richard Garbett, said guilty pleas were entered at the first opportunity, and home detention with conditions would be an appropriate penalty.

He told Judge Jan Bouchier Fenton had $18,315 in fines which he could not pay.

Judge Bouchier ruled out home detention, saying drugs could be sold via text messages while serving a non-custodial sentence.

She sentenced Fenton to three years' jail on the methamphetamine charges and a concurrent term of nine months for offering to supply cannabis.

- APN