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City man denies sexual assault charge

A Fredericton man will stand trial next year after denying a sexual assault charge in provincial court Wednesday.

Michael Jeremy Riney, 38, of 172 Sunset Dr. entered a not guilty plea Wednesday to a count of sexual assault.

He's also awaiting trial on related counts of uttering threats, assault with a weapon (a machete) and unlawful confinement.

All charges allege events that happened May 9-10.

His sexual assault trial was set for May 17.

Judge reserves decision

A Fredericton man who had a sophisticated marijuana grow-op in two secret rooms in the basement of his northside home will learn if he'll be sent to jail next week.

Matthew C. Martin, 26, of 132 Canada St. previously pleaded guilty to June 11, 2008, counts of production of marijuana and improper storage of firearms.

While executing a search warrant at Martin's home, police found a pot grow-op in two rooms in his basement, rooms hidden by a secret door disguised as a set of bookshelves, Crown prosecutor Hilary Drain told the court Wednesday.

Officers found 114 pot plants and a number of firearms. Drain said the pot was valued at $140,000.

Martin, a plumber who earned $56,000 per year with his legitimate job, told police he set up the hydroponic grow-op to make ends meet.

Drain asked for jail time, while defence lawyer Ron Morris requested a conditional sentence of house arrest.

Judge George Perusse reserved his decision on sentence until Nov. 9.

Admits sexual assault

A Minto man admitted in provincial court to a sex offence.

Kevin Stanley Ackerson of 291 Pleasant Dr. pleaded guilty Wednesday to a charge of sexual assault that occurred between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008.

Sentencing was set over to Dec. 18 to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Court briefs compiled by reporter Don MacPherson