Man sentenced for drugs offence after PSNI respond to CCTV footage from Lisburn city centre
A man has been put on probation for 18 months after pleading guilty to a drugs charge.
Michael Philip Braniff, aged 22, whose address was given as St Joseph’s Court in Crumlin, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with possession of a Class B drug, namely cannabis.
The court heard that on August 22, 2025 at 11.20pm, police responded to a report from Citywatch, which operates the CCTV system in Lisburn city centre.
An operator had reported a suspected ongoing drug deal in a car park in Lisburn.
It was stated that the defendant was in the passenger seat, with another male driving the vehicle.
On arrival the police noted a small package being thrown from the passenger’s window. When recovered it was said to contain a small amount of drugs, approximately 3.5g of cannabis.
During interview the defendant made full admission, stating the cannabis was for his own personal use.
District Judge Rosie Watters noted that the defendant had previously been charged with possession of both Class A and Class C drugs.
During sentencing she commented: “I have the impression there is a mix of drugs in his life and I think probation would be a good idea.”
Sentencing the defendant to 18 months on probation, Ms Watters told him: “This is your opportunity. Your probation officer will help you in relation to drugs.
"I can see there’s been various different drugs you have been caught with and to get your life back on track you need to deal with that.
"There are resources for you. Take this opportunity. I don’t want to see you back here again.”