Dope crop a surprise

A judge ruled yesterday there was no evidence a hydroponic cannabis crop estimated to be worth $28,000 was grown for sale. The crop was found at the Wellington home of Gerald Tring, 38.

Defence lawyer Val Nisbet said it was his first crop and he was surprised how much it had yielded.

Tring pleaded guilty to charges of cultivating cannabis and possession of equipment used for cultivating cannabis.

In the High Court at Wellington yesterday he was sentenced to jail for 12 months and six months, suspended for two years.