Drug and burglary charges in court

The following people appeared before Judge Gregory Ross in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday:

* Early on New Year’s morning, a 31-year-old Porirua woman was pulled over by police on State Highway 1 at Otaki. Hine Tausisi Ahu’s breath-alcohol level was 530 micrograms. The legal limit is 400mcg. She was also driving while disqualified and panicked, so gave police a false name. But her deception was later discovered and she was fined $930 and disqualified from driving for 10 months.

* Recidivist burglar Sonny Glen Wikitera, 18, has been at it again. On September 30 he stole $1500 worth of jewellery and other items from a Palmerston North house. He has admitted a burglary charge and was remanded in custody until next week.

* A Levin sickness beneficiary who drove after drinking told police he knew he should not be driving. On May 2 Carlo Chas Gavin, 22, was pulled over in the town and found to have a breath-alcohol reading of 726 micrograms. On charges of drink-driving and driving while forbidden Gavin was fined $675 and disqualified from driving for six months.

* When police searched a Palmerston North earthmover’s house they found four mature cannabis plants, four ‘‘rubbish’’ stumps, dried cannabis material and growing equipment. Kenneth Thomas Evans Wilton, 50, said it was for his personal use, as he smoked the drug on the weekend. On charges of cultivating cannabis, possessing cannabis plant and possessing equipment, Wilton was fined $550.

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