KEY POINTS:
After an argument a Te Puke woman potted her partner to police for growing dope in the ceiling of their home.
James Bruce Keegan, 29, kiwifruit worker, pleaded guilty in Tauranga District Court today to cultivating cannabis and possessing drug utensils.
"You do know it's illegal, don't you?" Judge Ian Thomas asked him.
"You have been caught red-handed on this occasion, though it has been accepted it (the cannabis) was for your own use."
He fined Keegan $500 on the first charge and $200 on the second count, ordering destruction of the growing equipment and utensils.
Prosecutor Barry Woon said the defendant, his partner and their four-year-old son were at their rural house early on the afternoon of March 12 when the couple argued and police were called.
The woman dobbed him in for growing cannabis.
A search of the ceiling cavity revealed a growing area constructed from plastic sheeting. It contained electric timers, lights, fans, liquid fertiliser and other items, Sergeant Woon told the court.
There were also nine cannabis plants ranging from half a metre to a metre in height.
Elsewhere in the house police found a silver pipe and an assortment of small instruments used to smoke cannabis.
Keegan admitted growing the drug for his own use and said he "enjoyed his smoke".
- NZPA
