Son claims Black Widow put a 'hit' on him from behind bars

Adam Kearns claims he owned a gun for his own protection against Black Widow mum

Black widow Helen Milner has hired a hitman to kill her son from her jail cell, a court has heard this morning.

Adam Kearns, 23, was arrested in an armed raid in the east of Christchurch yesterday where police say he was caught in possession of a gun. Kearns told the court today that he had the gun because his mother - who is serving a life sentence for the murder of her husband - had put out a hit on him.

"The reason for having a shotgun is that the police approached me to say that I have got a hit out on my head from my mother who is in prison," Kearns told Justice of the Peace Nick Atkins.

Kearns, who earlier this month won a $55,000 compensation claim against Milner, is faced 11 charges when he appeared in Christchurch District Court. The charges include possession of cannabis for purpose of supply, three charges that on Friday he sold cannabis to people over 18, possession of a P pipe, possession of a bong, a Taser, and a shotgun, while also breaching a protection order, and assaulting a man twice - on October 28 and November 19.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Iain Patton opposed bail and said Kearns' claims were "unfounded".

"We have no information about that," he said. But Kearns, who was representing himself, spoke up again, saying that he wanted the media to "publish this information".

"I'd like the media to be aware of this. My old lady is paying for a hit to be put on me."

Kearns was remanded in custody until Thursday where he will appear from custody via audio visual link. Police said late last night that charges against three men and one woman were laid after an investigation at a property in New Brighton at approximately 2pm yesterday.

As well as Kearns' charges, a 26-year old man and 26-year old woman were each charged with possession of cannabis for supply.

Another 23 -year-old man was charged with possession of cannabis.

All three are due to appear at Christchurch District Court next week.

Police investigations are continuing.

Earlier this month, Kearns - who testified against his mum in her murder trial last year - won $55,000 from Milner after she framed him and put him behind bars.

Milner admitted perverting the course of justice and was jailed for two years and eight months when she sent herself death threats and claimed they were from her son.

Kearns was arrested and spent 18 days in custody - including his 19th birthday - while it's alleged that police took 13 days to carry out a search warrant which would eventually clear his name.

He has also launched legal action against police for allegedly failing to properly investigate his case.

Milner is currently serving a life term with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years for the murder of second husband Phil Nisbet in 2009.

She has lodged an appeal against her conviction at the Supreme Court.