Sentencing of drug dealer put off

A Taranaki drug dealer has opted to have his sentencing put off in hope of a lighter sentence.

John Barry Bevin, who was caught earlier in the year with about $20,000 of methamphetamine, appeared in New Plymouth District Court for sentence on possession of the class A drug, also known as P, for supply, and possession of a cannabis plant.

But Judge John Macdonald offered to reschedule the hearing until the decision from a Court of Appeal review of penalties for methamphetamine dealing is out. A number of similar prosecutions across the country have been delayed for the same reason, according to media reports.

In April, a full Appeal Court of five senior judges reviewed its earlier guideline case, dating from 2005, used when sentencing meth-related crimes.

Considered in the two-day hearing was the effectiveness of lengthy jail sentences in deterring people from methamphetamine offending. Currently, meth makers, importers and dealers can receive sentences of up to life imprisonment.

After a number of delays the decision is due out within a couple of weeks, it is understood.

Through his lawyer, Julian Hannam, who indicated he was going to ask for the case to be adjourned until after the decision is released, Bevin accepted Judge Macdonald’s offer at Monday’s hearing. He was remanded on electronically-monitored bail and ordered to

January 22.

About 57.8 grams of methamphetamine, or two ounces, was seized by police when Bevin’s Ngamotu Rd home was raided on May 22.

About 4pm that day he was stopped by police in his ute on South Rd in New Plymouth. A search of his vehicle turned up a pipe used to smoke P and $1000 in cash. Bevin was arrested and taken back to the city station. A search warrant was then executed at his home about return to court on

5.35pm. Stashes of meth were found in a set of drawers in the bedroom, in a wooden table in the lounge and hidden behind a microwave. A large amount of cash was also discovered in another bedroom. In total, about

57.8 grams, or two ounces, of methamphetamine was found.

The street value for an ounce of methamphetamine (about 28 grams) was $10,000, according to a police summary of facts.

A search of an adjoining garage also turned up 200 grams of dried cannabis head.