Co Tyrone man growing cannabis for his own use at home handed suspended jail sentence
A Co Tyrone man found who was growing cannabis plants in his home was handed a three-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Dungannon Magistrates Court on Friday.
Thirty-six-year-old Kevyn Alexander Wrights from Derryvale Grove, Coalisland, admitted charges of cultivating cannabis, possessing the drug, and possessing cocaine.
Wrights was also fined £250 with a £15 offender's levy on charge of possessing fireworks without a licence.
Sentencing him, District Judge Francis Rafferty said if he appeared back in court for drugs there was good chance he would receive a custodial sentence.
Prosecuting counsel said on June 19 last, police were alerted to a strong smell of cannabis coming from the defendant's property at Derryvale Grove, Farlough.
The lawyer said police spoke to the defendant at the back of the property.
Counsel said Wrights told them that he had cannabis in the house and, in a search, police found Class A and B drugs including six cannabis plants and four seedlings, along with a quantity of fireworks.
He was arrested and during an interview at Dungannon custody suite made a full admission to possessing the drugs, but strongly denied his intention was to supply others.
A defence lawyer said Wrights was growing the cannabis for his own use and not to rely on local drug cartels.