District Judge warned south Derry that it he continued "down this road" he would find himself back in court
A south Derry man who had a knuckle duster given to him by a friend in a bag along with a quantity of cannabis, has been fined a total of £400 with a £15 offender’s levy.
Magherafelt Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday the offences came to light when police stopped a car on Tobermore Road in the town on July 25 last year.
Before the court was 25-year-old Cahir McFall, of Crawfordsburn, Maghera, who accepted charges of possessing an offensive weapon and unlawfully having cannabis in his possession.
Making a destruction order for the items, District Judge Conor Heaney warned the defendant that if he continued “down this road” he would find himself back before the court with the penalities increasing.
The court heard that police stopped the car at approximately 9.24pm and approached the driver.
Proescuting counsel said officers detected a smell of herbal cannabis “emitting from the vehicle” and uncovered a small bag which was in the footwell.
She said the bag contained cannabis and the knuckle duster, and the defendant made no reply when cautioned.
A defence lawyer stressed McFall has a very limited record and no offences of a similar nature.
He said there were a number of other people in the vehicle, but the defendant had made admissions they were his items.
The lawyer explained the knuckle duster had been given to him by a friend who had collections of swords and other items.
He said McFall had picked it up to look at it and the friend told him he could take it.
The lawyer stressed the defendant didn’t have the knuckle duster for using it in violent crime.