The mother of a 14-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of a west Auckland dairy owner has admitted attempting to sell methamphetamine.
The mother of a teenaged killer has appeared in court today. Photo:
The woman - who cannot be named in case it identifies her son - was sentenced to 300 hours' community work and intensive supervision when she appeared in the Auckland District Court today.
Judge Evangelos Thomas said she had a long history of drug addiction and offending.
She wiped away tears as he spoke of how her "appalling" background and circumstances had, in turn, extended to those in her care, including her son and those who suffered at his hands.
Arun Kumar. Photo: NZ POLICE
The judge said drug addiction had fueled her behaviour and her long list of previous offences.
Synthetic cannabis was her undoing and she had lived in a "synthetic cannabis household."
But Judge Thomas said the focus today was on only the methamphetamine charge - not any of her other mistakes or shortcomings.
"You will live with those for the rest of your days as will plenty of others to their great sadness - and to no doubt yours."
In handing down the community work sentence, Judge Thomas said the woman owed a debt to society.
He told her it was in her power to change and that she would continue to make appalling decisions if she did not take the chance offered by the court to treat her addictions.
The woman's 14-year-old son was sentenced last month to six years in prison for killing Arun Kumar last year.
