former Wellington-based gang member has narrowly spared a prison sentence because the judge wanted to give him a chance to turn his life around.

 George Warren, living in Blenheim, appeared before Judge Denys Barry in the Blenheim District Court yesterday, facing two charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and one charge of possession of a class A drug, namely LSD. The items were recovered during a police search warrant in Tawa, Wellington on December 8, Judge Barry said. Since the incident, Warren had removed himself from his past and left his gang associates behind, by relocating to Blenheim. "I take into account your genuine remorse and regret that you ended up in that position. At 39 years of age, perhaps you have finally come full circle and you do want to start fresh," Judge Barry said. Warren was sentenced to 11 months' home detention and ordered to undergo any counselling as requested. Judge Barry also ordered the destruction of the firearms and LSD. Maxwell John Brydon, 21, a deck hand of Blenheim, admitted intentionally damaging the front plate window of First National, valued at $1233.48. Judge Barry sentenced him to 55 hours' community work and remitted any outstanding fines. Brydon was also ordered to pay for the window replacement costs. Malcolm Crouch, 18, 400mcg. Legal limit (at the time) for under-20, was 150mcg. Fined $400, disqualified for three months and ordered to pay court costs. Jamie Robert Gibson, 33, a car groomer of Blenheim, 569mcg. Gibson also admitted common assault, cultivation of cannabis and two charges of driving while disqualified. He pleaded not guilty to receiving a stolen mountain bike. Judge Barry remanded Gibson on bail for sentencing on all charges, including the drink-driving charge, until May 28.

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