Police smell cannabis after stopping car

Nineteen-year-old Patrick Duffy from Mountjoy Road, Coalisland, admitted two charges of possessing cannabis on March 21 and April 18 this year.

Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare ordered Duffy to do voluntary work without pay and take part in courses to assist with his addiction.

He remarked the offences being committed so close together indicated the defendant has a problem which needs to be addressed or he will just keep coming back to court.

Prosecuting counsel told the court on March 21 police stopped a car on the Old Coagh Road, Cookstown, in which the defendant was travelling, and carried out a search after detecting a smell of cannabis.

She said they located a grinder containing cannabis under an arm rest in the vehicle.

Continuing, the lawyer said on April 18 police were investigating a two-vehicle accident when they located cannabis which the defendant admitted belonged to him.

A defence lawyer said the offences reflected some immaturity on the part of the defendant and his association with his peers at the time.

He said Duffy has stopped using cannabis and would apologise to the court.

“He has shown remorse for the actions,” he stressed.

Deputy District Judge O’Hare warned Duffy if he kept coming back to court he would go to jail.

Mr O’Hare made a destruction order in respect of the cannabis.

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