However, Sven Stephan Harrieder’s generosity was funded by money he earned selling drugs.
In the Queenstown District Court yesterday, Judge Bernadette Farnan sentenced the 30-year-old to 26 months’ imprisonment for possession of class C-controlled cannabis for supply, possession of class B-controlled LSD and failing to assist Detective Matt Jones exercise a search power in Queenstown on June 25.
His release will be subject to a parole board hearing.
He was arrested after Queenstown police executed a search warrant at Deco Backpackers on June 25.
In Harrieder’s room they located cannabis with an estimated street value of between $27,000 and $55,000, and a total of $117,826 cash, 10 tabs of LSD, four mobile phones and a laptop.
The qualified chef arrived in New Zealand a year ago, but had not worked while here, "which would make the court wonder how you supported yourself during the period and whether you had any legitimate means to support yourself".
While Judge Farnan accepted he was remorseful, she questioned if that was because of what he had done, or the situation he found himself in.
She also accepted he might have sold some cannabis to fund his own habit, but concluded he was ultimately "operating a business for profit".
"It was offending fuelled by greed which may well have got out of control."
Meanwhile, Justin Christopher Hamilton (25), of Germany, avoided a prison sentence yesterday for his part in the offending.
Hamilton earlier admitted one charge of possession of cannabis for supply after being arrested following the same search.
Police located 92.64g of cannabis, individually packaged, in his room with an estimated street value of between $1158 and $2300, and almost $12,000 cash.
From a starting point of two years and nine months’ imprisonment, discounts brought the sentence down to 21 months which "by a fine margin" Judge Farnan decided to convert to six months’ community detention.
She also sentenced Hamilton to 350 hours’ community work and six months’ supervision, with special conditions.
