Plans for cannabis cake cost man £250

Cory McGuicken (20), of Lisgoran Lane, was fined £150 for possessing the drug, and having it with intent to supply.

He was fined a further £100 with a £15 offender levy for possessing cannabis.

Making a destruction order for the drug, Deputy District Judge Noel Dunlop warned the defendant, who appeared by video link from his solicitor’s office, that if he came back before the court for similar offence he would face a period of imprisonment.

Counsel prosecuting said on December 31 last, police stopped a car at Tirgarvil Road, Maghera, and while speaking to the defendant detected an overpowering smell of cannabis from the vehicle.

The defendant admitted having a large quantity of the drug in a black leather carrying bag in the back seat which he told police he intended to share with friends, the lawyer said, adding that the cannabis amounted to 93 grams.

Admitting the offence Stewart Ballentine, solicitor, described the defendant as a naive young man who hadn’t realised he was committing one of the most serious drug offences in sharing it with friends.

He said McGuicken was hoping to make a cake with the leaves at a party. 
He added the defendant worked in a local chippy with plans to go to university.

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