A historic church building is on the market for sale after the Crown seized it from a convicted cannabis grower.
Stephen Craig Alexander challenged the seizure of three properties, including the former St John’s Anglican Sunday school building in Winchester, Canterbury, but the Supreme Court ruled against him in April.
The court heard that Alexander spent at least $242,000 more than his declared income from benefits amounting to between $213 and $269 per week.
A police raid on Alexander’s properties in 2017 found 88 cannabis plants in multiple grow rooms, including 22 seedlings in Alexander’s bedroom.
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Alexander subsequently pled guilty to several drug charges and was sentenced to six months’ community detention.
A review of his bank statements by police led to further proceedings in the High Court and the forfeiture of his properties and a sum of cash.
The Crown also seized a neighbouring villa at 5 North Street. Photo / Supplied
Lot 1/5 North Street can be bought separately or with the two other properties. Photo / Supplied
Alexander claimed undue hardship and fought the judgement all the way to the Supreme Court, but lost.
The properties include a former Sunday school building 7 North Street, in Winchester, a four-bedroom villa at 5 North Street and an 800sqm vacant section.
All three are being sold “as is, where is”, and can be bought individually or together.
Harcourts listing agent Jill Bennett has pitched the properties, which have a combined RV of $460,000, to renovators and developers.
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“Whether you’re looking to renovate, redevelop, remove and rebuild, or secure a landholding with future potential, these properties present a range of possibilities. Purchase all properties together for a larger-scale project or buy individually to suit your plans. Explore the options and unlock the potential of this unique offering.”
Bennett told OneRoof that she received 19 emails about the properties within 12 hours of listing them.
Local Winchester historian Alan Patrick told OneRoof that the church building was the old St John’s Anglican church Sunday school. The neighbouring church was removed in 1972 and moved to the nearby Waihi Preparatory School.
Patrick added that the villa at 5 North Street, was built by Daniel Inwood, a local flour mill owner, in 1873. The mill was called Winchester Mill after Inwood’s birthplace, Winchester, in England, and the town was named after the mill.
The historian, who lives near the properties now for sale, said he witnessed one of the police raids on the properties.
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