A Dutch man living in Blenheim who was sentenced to jail on cannabis charges yesterday was "concerned and upset" he had tarnished his family name, according to his defence counsel.
Jim Jacobus Wilhelmus van Hoof, 36, was sentenced to one year imprisonment for possession of cannabis for sale and selling cannabis when he appeared at the Blenheim District Court yesterday.
Van Hoof was also sentenced to a further one month's imprisonment concurrent for receiving stolen items and possession of utensils.
Defence counsel Bryony Millar said a letter van Hoof wrote to the judge outlined his despair, saying his family was well respected and cannabis and drugs charges were "foreign" to them.
The letter also said van Hoof wanted to get away from the associates who helped in his offending, Mrs Millar said.
The option for home detention was not available because of electronic monitoring issues at the proposed address, she said.
Finding an alternative address would be difficult even in custody, but van Hoof wanted to receive residential treatment for drug issues, she said.
In a previous court appearance, police prosecutor Sergeant Jason Munro said police searched van Hoof's home on July 14 and found 107 grams of cannabis along with pre-rolled cannabis tinnies.
Van Hoof had not been working for several weeks and had fallen behind on his rent and bills and sold cannabis to supplement his income, he said.
Judge David McKegg said van Hoof had "carved yourself out a position" in the drug scene.
"If you are to redeem yourself in your family's eyes you have to get rid of the drugs. You've got to beat it to get back to the rest of your family."
Van Hoof was granted leave to apply for home detention if a place at a residential treatment facility became available and an order was made for the destruction of the cannabis and utensils.
Van Hoof was also ordered to undergo alcohol and drug assessments as part of his release conditions.
The Marlborough Express
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