Lisburn man ordered to complete 200 hours of community service for drugs offences
A Lisburn man has been ordered to complete 200 hours of community service after he was charged with possession of drugs.
He appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court on July 16 after District Judge Rosie Watters had “given him a chance” by deferring the sentence for six months.
The facts for the case were not opened in court. However it is understood the defendant, Christopher Cole (36), whose address was given as Llewellyn Avenue in Lisburn, had been charged with two counts of possession of a Class C drug, namely diazepam and pregabalin.
He was further charged with attempted possession of pregabalin.
The charges date back to September 18, 2025 and October 23, 2025.
Defence told the court the defendant now attends Community Addictions and AA meetings.
District Judge Rosie Watters commented: “I gave him a chance and it seems he has taken the chance.”
Sentencing the defendant to complete 200 hours of community service, Ms Watters told him: “I think it is a positive thing. I think it would be good to have some routine in your life and to do something constructive.
"Maybe that will move you forward into employment or volunteering. Going to work is a positive thing.”
The defendant told Ms Watters he suffers with agoraphobia but that he was prepared to undertake community service as the exposure would help him to address his issues.
Following sentencing, Ms Watters told the defendant: “I will not see you here again. I wouldn’t need to.”
Ms Watters also issued an order for the disposal of the drugs which had been seized during the case.