Judge warns Lisburn man she sends people to prison for possession of drugs
A Lisburn man has been fined for possession of drugs, however he has been warned by a judge that she sends people to prison for similar offences.
He appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with possession of a Class A drug, namely cocaine.
The court heard that on February 26, 2026 at 9.45pm police observed a white Audi with a dirty number plate. They stopped the car and spoke with the defendant, asking for details.
It was stated that the officers noted a smell of cannabis from the vehicle and carried out a search, during which they found a small bag of white powder, which was confirmed to be cocaine.
The defendant, Jonathan Bell (38), whose address was given as Ashvale Heights, made full admission to possession of the drugs.
Defence told the court: “He has made the process as straightforward as possible.”
She added that the defendant had lost his grandfather, uncle, and mother, which “resulted in him spiralling”.
She added: “He has now turned his life around. He is in employment. This was just a blip.”
During sentencing, District Judge Rosie Watters told the defendant: “This is the third time you have been stopped by police in possession of cocaine.
"If you are back before me again for any possession of drugs it won’t be a fine, it will be something more than that. I do send people to prison, especially when it is Class A.”
Ms Watters imposed a fine of £200, as well as an offender’s levy of £15.
She warned the defendant: “I do not want to see you back here again.”