Philip Polkinghorne outside the High Court at Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel
The sentencing of a former Auckland eye surgeon found not guilty of murdering of his wife is set to start in the High Court at Auckland on Friday morning.
Philip Polkinghorne was found not guilty of murdering of his wife, Pauline Hanna, after a nine-week trial ending in September.
Crown prosecutors said Polkinghorne murdered Hanna and staged the scene as a suicide due to a combination of financial problems, infidelity and drug use.
The defence argued Hanna took her own life after struggling with depression for many years.
Polkinghorne pleaded guilty in July to two charges of possessing methamphetamine and a pipe.
Philip Polkinghorne returns to High Court over meth charges
The retired ophthalmologist had 37 grams of methamphetamine, worth over $13,000, hidden throughout his Remuera home. He was charged in August 2022.
The maximum sentence for possessing a Class A substance is six months in prison, while possessing a pipe can carry a one-year jail term.
Both charges can also include fines of up to $1000.
During the trial, the jury heard that methamphetamine testing was carried out at Polkinghorne's workplace, the Auckland Eye ophthalmology clinic.
It revealed concerningly high levels of the drug at his workplace, suggesting it had been used there.
Testing officer Jeremy Hill told the jury he took 14 swabs from four rooms at the premises.
A meth pipe, embossed with the words 'sweet puff' on the side, was also found at Polkinghorne's work.
In one consult room, where the pipe was found, levels of methamphetamine found were above safe levels, Hill said.
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