Fined £200 for possession of ‘legal high’

A fine of £200, together with a Court levy of £15 were imposed at Londonderry Magistrates Court on a 24-year-old woman charged with possession of a Class B drug known as a ‘legal high’.
By Staff Reporter
Published 6th Mar 2014, 08:02 BST

Before the court was Ciara Louise McDowell, of 5 Duddy’s Court, Londonderry, who was charged with possession of the drug, Mephedrome, on May 26 last year.

Prosecuting Counsel told the court that the matter was admitted and he said it was a “simple possession case”.

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“There are two small bags involved, less than a gramme each,” he said.

McDowell’s defence solicitor, Seamus Quigley, said the matter had been previously adjourned for a report, and the drug in question was Mephedrove, which had been labelled as ‘bath salts’.

Responding, the District Judge, Barney McElholm, commented: “It should be labelled ‘poison’ for that is precisely what it is.”

Noting that McDowell was on benefits, he imposed a fine of £200 with costs of £15 and ordered the destruction of the Mephedrone.

McDowell was given 26 weeks to pay the fine.