Suspended sentence on cannabis charge

In the dock on Wednesday of last week was Gary Doherty (25), with an address on the court records at Dunmore Place in Limavady.

The court was told that the 25-year-old defendant had been found in possession of the controlled Class B drug cannabis.

Following an outline of the case, the District Judge Liam McNally, warned Doherty that he could go to jail if he persisted on his current path.

Convicting Doherty of possession of the drug, District Judge McNally imposed a two month jail sentence, but suspended its operation for two years.

Earlier, in evidence, the prosecution told the court that the offence came to light when police officers were conducting a search for a male person on December 5, 2014.

They were in the area of Irwin Avenue when they saw Doherty, who was acting in what they believed was a suspicious manner.

The police stopped him and carried out a search of his vehicle, during which they found a small quantity of the drug.

Doherty was cautioned and admitted the charge of being in possession.

Police also found scales, but he denied that they were his.

District Judge McNally noted it was Doherty’s third appearance in court for possession of a controlled drug.

The District Judge told Doherty that he would have to stop offending or he would find himself in custody.