Declan James Gaffney (28) appeared yesterday before Judge Russell Walker in the Invercargill District Court for sentence after pleading guilty to offering to supply LSD and offering to sell cannabis in Queenstown between February 6 and June 21.
He also admitted driving on the Devil’s Staircase road with a breath alcohol level of 903mcg on October 29 last year.
The summary says police analysis of Gaffney’s phone revealed he was supplying LSD and cannabis to numerous people in the Queenstown area.
When police questioned him about the texts, Gaffney told them Vodafone must have given the number to more than one person.
Counsel Peter Redpath said what had started out as a recreational habit had turned into more serious offending.
Gaffney had been ‘‘trapped’’ in New Zealand as a result of his offending, he said.
“He’s the author of his own misfortune,’’ Mr Redpath said.
Judge Walker said the screening showed a strong theme of dependency if not addiction.
“Which means you were vulnerable to the people who were supplying you the drugs.”
Judge Walker sentenced Gaffney to six months’ community detention, 50 hours’ community work, 12 months’ supervision, fined him $1500 and ordered him to pay court costs of $130.
Gaffney was disqualified from driving for 28 days with alcohol interlock provisions.
