Judge warns Magherafelt man to stay out of trouble as she defers sentence for six months
A judge has deferred sentencing in the case of a Magherafelt man charged with possession of drugs.
He appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with possession of a Class A drug, namely methamphetamine.
The court heard that on April 12, 2026 police observed a grey Audi A6 parked on a road in Lisburn, with the defendant in the driver’s side of the car.
The officers became suspicious and carried out a search, discovering a small deal bag of white powder in the central console of the vehicle.
The defendant, Harrison Hughes (22), whose address was given as Derramore Heights in Magherafelt, was subsequently charged with possession of drugs.
Defence told the court: “He accepted his culpability and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He is 22 years of age and over the last number of years he had lost his way significantly.”
He continued: “He wants to put this behind him and move on. He is currently on probation and it is going well.”
During sentencing, District Judge Rosie Watters told the defendant: “I am going to defer sentence. I would like to keep an eye on this.”
Ms Watters deferred sentencing for six months. She warned the defendant: “If you get into anymore trouble I will take a very dim view.
"I want a positive report from probation. If I do, I will find a way to deal with you that doesn’t interfere with your liberty.”
The defendant is to reappear before Lisburn Magistrates Court for sentencing on April 29, 2027.