Bellaghy plasterer fined after being caught with drugs in his underpants

A young Bellaghy man who was found to have hidden a small bag of drugs in his underpants by police, appeared at Magherafelt Magistrates Court.
Judge's court wig and hammer or gavelJudge's court wig and hammer or gavel
Judge's court wig and hammer or gavel

Gary Mawhinney, 24, a plasterer from Ballyscullion Road, was fined a total of £240 for possessing cocaine and cannabis.

A second man, Corrie Mawhinney, 20, groundsman, from William Street in Bellaghy was fined £90 for possessing herbal cannabis.

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The court heard the offences came to light when police on mobile patrol stopped a car and spoke to the occupants on the evening of October 8.

A PPS lawyer said officers detected an odour inside and on searching the vehicle they found a plastic bag containing white powder and a lunch box containing herbal cannabis.

She said Gary Mawhinney informed police that he had a small bag of drugs in his underpants. A subsequent search at the home of Corrie Mawhinney uncovered a small quantity of cannabis, she said.

A defence lawyer pointed out that Corrie Mawhinney had no previous convictions and he had cannabis at home to help to get to sleep as he had been the victim of a stabbing some years ago.

He explained Gary Mawhinney was a passenger in the car and made a full admission to police before he was taken to the police station. The lawyer added the drugs were for his personal use.