Mum joins daughter in prison

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A woman has been jailed for selling cannabis to undercover police officers - just months after her daughter was jailed for the same crime.

Leslie Helen Polyanszky, 52, of Ngongotaha, appeared in the Rotorua District Court before Judge Thomas Ingram for sentencing on two counts of selling cannabis and three of possession for the purpose of sale in December.

Her daughter, Renee Anna Polyanszky, 30, was sentenced that month to 12 months' jail for selling cannabis to undercover police officers.

She left her children, 10 and 11, in the care of their grandmother, Leslie Polyanszky, while she served her time. The court was told it was understood the children were now in the care of other family members.

Police said an undercover officer went to Leslie Polyanszky's house twice and bought two cannabis "tinnies" from her. Once there were school-aged children present and she had 10 to 15 tinnies when making the sale.

When a search warrant was executed four tinnies and $100 cash were found.

"You were asked about the money but you denied it was from selling drugs and said the money was rent money," Judge Ingram said.

Polyanszky's lawyer, Rob Vigor-Brown, said his client was involved in low-level cannabis dealing.

He said she was an ideal candidate for home detention. However, Judge Ingram said a strong message needed to be sent that drug dealing carried serious consequences.

"You are a grandmother stepping in while mum is in prison [for selling drugs], not once but twice, while school-aged children were present. The mum is in prison for the same thing and, frankly, this sticks in my craw," Judge Ingram said.

"Part of my job as a judge is to go to the mental hospital and I get asked by family members of patients to keep them there because they can't keep off the cannabis when they are released. It only exacerbates their illness.

"You have a good record and I accept you are not someone who set out to be a drug dealer, but you had a good job with a bakery and had no need to sell it."

Polyanszky was sentenced to 12 months' jail for the selling charges and three months for possession.
The sentences are to be served concurrently.

"It gives me no pleasure giving that sentence to a woman of your age, but you should have known much better."

- APN