Man was caught with cannabis after going out of Antrim Area Hospital for a smoke near police officers
A man was caught with cannabis at Antrim Area Hospital on April Fool's Day.
Andrew Irving McMillan (34), of Shearwater Way in Derry/Londonderry, had the offence detected in 2024.
Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, was told police were at the hospital when the defendant was detected with a "small amount" of the drug.
A prosecutor said at 2.49am police were standing outside the main entrance to the Emergency Department when the defendant walked outside and "lit up a roll-up cigarette and proceeded to smoke."
She added: "Police could smell cannabis from the cigarette and immediately detained the defendant to search him. He apologised to police and was taken to his room with nursing staff.
"He opened up a hospital drawer and police located a small quantity of herbal cannabis contained therein."
The defendant, who was not present at court, was fined £100.