Second tinny house operator sentenced

A Nelson wheelchair user involved in running a well-known Washington Valley cannabis tinny house was fined $4000 and sentenced to 12 months' supervision on Friday.

Phillip Andrew Webb, 42, an invalid beneficiary also known as "Wheelchair Phil", was sentenced in the High Court at Nelson on Friday morning, after earlier admitting a charge of allowing premises to be used for the supply of cannabis.

His co-offender, Robert Martin Heemskerk, 54, an invalid beneficiary, was sentenced on Wednesday to two years and eight months in prison, after earlier admitting a charge of possessing cannabis for supply.

Webb was also to have been sentenced on Wednesday but this was delayed so Justice Wild could find out about his assets and financial position.

The court previously heard that police had received complaints from Washington Rd residents for five years relating to the activities at the house, but no one would give evidence because they were scared of retribution from Black Power gang members and associates seen there.

The court was also previously told that the gang was used for security and debt collection.

Justice Wild said when sentencing Heemskerk that the pair made a gross profit of $2000 a week from selling cannabis. They were arrested after police watched the house and searched it last year.

Justice Wild said on Friday that Webb had told his probation officer he wasn't a willing participant in the tinny house, and had asked Heemskerk and others to stop what they were doing, but they wouldn't listen to him because he was "a cripple".

However, the judge said he didn't agree with this.

"Although I have some concerns as to the extent of the Black Power gang involved in this tinny house, I think you were a willing rather than a reluctant participant."

Justice Wild said a report from addiction services said that Webb was addicted to cannabis and nicotine, and smoked an ounce of cannabis every three days and 100 grams of tobacco every week.

"I accept the tinny house was supporting those expensive habits, and that's why I think you were a willing participant in this tinny house over the last several years."

He understood that the house, which Webb owned, was mortgage-free.

A financial disclosure this week showed that Webb had only just over $6000 in savings. He spent $85,000 last year buying a boat in Picton, the judge said.

- © Fairfax NZ News