IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
(Criminal Jurisdiction)

Criminal Case No. 98/ 2012

PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

V

OWEN PATON

Hearing: 7 August 2012

Before: Justice Robert Spear 

Appearances: Tabisa Harrison for the Public Prosecutor
Jacob Kausiama for the Defendant

CONVICTION AND SENTENCE

1.	The accused has been arraigned today and he has pleaded guilty to one charge of cultivating cannabis. The summary of facts explains that was caught growing four cannabis plants at or near his home at Pango village. 

2.	This case can appropriately be dealt with by of a sentence of community work. However, the number hours to be worked must reflect the number of plants involved. 

3.	Owen Paton, you are convicted and sentenced to carry out 120 hours community work. That recognises your early guilty plea. You are to report to the Court office at 3.00 pm today for service of the community work order.

4.	You have 14 days to appeal the sentence is you do not accept it.

BY THE COURT