22-year-old pleads guilty at Craigavon court to illegal drug possession
When police stopped three men acting suspiciously in Lurgan, one of them handed over a blister pack of illegal drugs, Craigavon court heard.
Kevin McBarron, aged 22, from Ballinderry Road, Aghalee, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with possession of a Class C controlled drug.
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The court heard that on October 3, 2022 at around 7.40pm police on patrol in Lurgan spotted three males acting suspiciously and stopped them for a search.
Police asked the defendant if he had anything in his possession that he would like to disclose. He said he had tablets and handed over a blister pack of Pregabalin. Police noted there were 11 tablets in the packet.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said that McBarron, who had pleaded guilty, has a record with a suspended sentence but it isn’t activated by the offence before the court.
Barrister Mr McKeown said: “This is a young man who has not had his sorrows to seek. His difficulties and record reflect that.”
The barrister admitted the case has been “dragging around” for quite some time citing his client’s mental health issues. He has received treatment and is “in a much better place now”.
"He is keen not to return to that lifestyle,” he said. “He appreciates now the detrimental effect it was having on his health.”
District Judge Ranaghan said: “Obviously there have been difficulties in your past and I have now been told you are working with the Community Outreach Team. That perhaps is the best way to stop you offending.”
He fined McBarron £200 plus the Offender Levy of £15.