Lisburn judge warns man he can be sent to prison for possession of cannabis
A man has been fined by a Lisburn judge for possession of drugs.
The 34-year-old appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with possession of a Class B drug, namely cannabis.
The facts of the case were not opened in court but it is understood the charge dates back to June 26, 2025, when the defendant – Stephen Andrew Rodgers, whose address was given as Irish Street in Downpatrick – was found in possession of 8g of cannabis.
A defence lawyer told the court there were positive aspects to the pre-sentence report compiled by the probation service.
"He is no longer using heroin,” the lawyer said.
"He’s made leaps and bounds in his drug addiction. It has been a huge turnaround in his life.”
During sentencing District Judge Rosie Watters said: “In comparison to heroin, cannabis seems like nothing but it’s not nothing.
"I can send you to prison for possession of cannabis.”
Ms Watters imposed a fine of £150 and an offender’s levy of £15.