Power plea in cannabis case

[Tom]

ENERGEX has faced many unusual disputes about electricity costs but rarely in a Supreme Court criminal sentence.

 

In the Supreme Court in Brisbane yesterday, Shane Andrew Collier, 39, pleaded guilty to producing and possessing cannabis sativa at his Gold Coast home on March 3 last year.

 

Collier also admitted diverting electricity from powerlines to his home to generate artificial light used in five hydroponic systems to grow cannabis sativa.

 

Prosecutor Ken Spinaze asked Justice John Muir to impose a cumulative sentence for stealing the electricity on any sentence Collier received for producing the drugs.

 

Energex estimated the value of the electricity at $7185 for the six-month period from September 2003.

 

"That's an awful lot of electricity," Justice Muir said.

 

Barrister Mark Johnson, for Collier, said his client had now received an adjustment account from the electricity company for a total of $599, which had been paid.

 

Justice Muir declined to impose a cumulative term for the electricity offences and sentenced Collier to three years' jail, suspended after nine months. He said Collier had previous drug convictions.

 

Author:Mark Oberhardt

Date:19apr05

Source:The Courier Mail

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