'Wake-up' call over cannabis

A young Cambridge man caught offering to supply cannabis to a police informant was only trying to make friends in a new town, his lawyer said.

Justin Stacey Collins, a 20-year-old apprentice electrical engineer, was sentenced yesterday in the Hamilton District Court to 80 hours' community work after pleading guilty to a charge of possessing cannabis for supply.

Collins was arrested in Cambridge on October 27 last year after offering to supply cannabis to a police informant.

The pair had met at a skateboard park.

Defence counsel Len Caley said Collins' offer was an unfortunate attempt to impress his "new friend". "He was just trying to make friends in a new town. He was trying to impress rather than make money."

Mr Caley said Collins' arrest had been "an incredible wake-up call" for the defendant and his family, and had prompted Collins to stop using cannabis.

Collins had admitted smoking cannabis at parties and sharing the drug with friends.

Judge Denise Clark said it was fortunate police intercepted Collins before he sold the cannabis, as otherwise he would be facing more serious charges.

The judge, however, gave Collins credit for stopping his cannabis use.

Collins was ordered to complete six months' supervision and attend any recommended drug counselling courses.

- © Fairfax NZ News