‘Perfect citizen’ goes to jail
A judge was told that when he is not running on methamphetamine, Charlie Ross Chestnut is “a perfect citizen”.
But otherwise, his latest crime spree only came to an end when the illiterate 31-year-old was remanded in custody in October.
By then he had committed five petrol drive-off thefts, and had been caught twice for possession of methamphetamine and a pipe.
He had been caught with cannabis and a pipe for smoking it, had breached a protection order, and had been caught twice driving while impaired by drugs. He had also crashed into a parked car.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was remanded in custody for sentencing in the Christchurch District Court today.
Defence counsel Paul Johnson told Judge Tom Gilbert: “When he’s not on methamphetamine, he is a perfect citizen. He works hard; he’s a good father.” Chestnut was illiterate because of learning difficulties.
He had done a six-day alcohol and drug course while in prison on remand but wanted more extensive help to deal with his drug addiction.
Judge Gilbert outlined the details of Chestnut’s crime spree from January to October including the list of petrol drive-offs.
Twice, he was found driving in Manchester Street, and passed breath-alcohol tests. When police were concerned he was impaired by drugs they had blood tests done which both showed methamphetamine in his system. One test also showed THC from cannabis, and Tramadol.
When police found him on September 1, he had crashed into a parked car and was fast asleep slumped over the steering wheel.
Judge Gilbert told Chestnut: “You are clearly addicted to drugs and you want and need some help with that.”
He jailed Chestnut for 20 months with six months of special conditions to follow his release. He also decided he would be allowed to apply to substitute the jail term for home detention – but only if there is a place available and the time is served in a residential drug rehabilitation programme.
Chestnut was also disqualified from driving for nine months and ordered to pay reparations of $300 for the petrol drive-offs, and $920 to pay for the testing each time he was caught drugged-driving.
Category: News
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