From meth to redemption

A man who used illicit gains from the sale of methamphetamine to run a stockcar, as well as his own drug habit, is now using speedway to help at-risk youth avoid going down the same path, a court has heard.

Judge Bruce Northwood told Dwayne Morehu in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday he needed to be congratulated for aiming to help people through the sport.

Morehu, 45, was sentenced to seven months and two weeks’ home detention for offering to supply and supplying meth in 2020. He was arrested as part of a police crackdown on the Palmerston North-based Hells Angels chapter.

Various minor players have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced, while one kingpin, Daron Ian Charles Gilmore, is awaiting sentencing.

Others were due to stand trial in March, but the trial had to be abandoned for reasons that could not be reported.

Morehu knew Gilmore and got meth from him, but had a role more akin to a street dealer.

Morehu told pre-sentence report writers he was using meth at the time, as much as 2 grams a day, and saw the meth ring as a way to make easy money. He used some drug profits to fund his stockcar, but also to fuel his habit.

Defence lawyer Debbie Goodlet said Morehu was motivated to change, with people in speedway noticing the difference in his behaviour and attitude since he had done drug rehabilitation.

It was time spent on electronically monitored bail with a fellow speedway enthusiast that put him on the path to improving himself, she said.

Morehu had since started running multiple stockcars for young people to race by getting sponsorships from local businesses.

‘‘[The young people] are probably, to be fair, at-risk youth, given the families and potential connections in the community,’’ Goodlet said.

‘‘He is keeping them out of trouble and me having to stand up for them [in court] in the next eight years.’’

Northwood said it was clear Morehu had a long history of neglect and substance abuse, having been kicked out of home as a pre-teen and having used meth since his 20s.

Speedway was giving Morehu a strong path forward, the judge said.

‘‘I trust [speedway officials] are not being foolish. I take you at your word that this is an indication of you moving past offending,’’ Northwood said.

Katrina Payne was also sentenced yesterday for her role in the meth ring, getting nine months’ home detention for one count of possessing meth for supply.

She too got meth from Gilmore, sourcing a total of 56g.

Northwood, who also sentenced her, said Payne had a strong work ethic before a significant injury in 2019 and a subsequent meth addiction.

But she had done rehabilitation, got clean and was motivated to get back into work.

‘‘One thing I can tell you in confidence is that we don’t want to see you [in court] again,’’ he said.