Suspended jail term for man using cocaine

A man who snorted cocaine, which he took out of the baseball cap he was wearing, was given an 11-month sentence, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Londonderry Magistrates Court.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2015, 12:00 BST
Bishop street CourthouseBishop street Courthouse
Bishop street Courthouse

The court heard that Donald Leo Fitzpatrick (26) of Liscloon Drive, had been queuing for MTV Crashes concert tickets when complaints were made to the police about his behaviour.

An arrest warrant had previously been issued Fitzpatrick after he failed to turn up to court for sentencing last year. He fled across the border after he received a threat against his life, the court heard.

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However, on Monday night last, Fitzpatrick was arrested for committing further driving offences. He subsequently pleaded guilty to possessing class A drugs, dishonestly using electricity, driving whilst disqualified and having no insurance, which were committed between June, 2014 and February 23, this year.

The court was told that when complaints were made to police they saw him take something from his baseball cap and snort it. Police searched him and found a small wrap of white powder in his cap.

Then, on Monday night last, police saw Fitzpatrick driving a Lexus car in the Shantallow area of the city. A disqualified driver, he had no insurance.

District Judge Barney McElholm suspended an 11 month sentence for two years and disqualified Fitzpatrick from driving for two years. He also fined him £50.