Today, Judge Lindsay Moore said that an 80 year-old Hastings pensioner, who unlawfully refined and retailed spirits from his garage at his dwelling, had been operating an outdated wily grogging business.

Edwin Lowry Wilson confessed six indicts together with keeping and showcasing liquor for sale and two of retailing liquor without a license. He was remanded on bail for punishment on August 25.

Hastings District Court was told that Wilson made use of the profits from the retail of whisky and other spirits from his garage at his residence to cover his brewing charges and to payout for the renovation of a Model A Ford car.

Prosecutor, Nigel Wolland said that a policewoman clad in plain clothes, went to the house of Wilson, whose "opening hours" were 10am to 2pm and from 4 to 8pm, on April 21 and gave $20 for a 740mm bottle of spirits labeled, Midon.

After two days in a regulated purchase operation, police used 23 and 16-year-old helpers to purchase one more bottle for $20. Wilson told them that the spirits were 40% proof.

In June, a search warrant was issued and Wilson confessed that he had been distilling alcohol for 20 years.

On a back wall of his shack was a sign saying "No book-ups -- don't ask" and on a rack, the police discovered 12 bottles of separated spirits labeled gin, vodka, Kahlua, Jim Beam and whisky.