Handed over bag of cannabis

John McVeigh, Lurgantarry, Lurgan, admitted unlawful possession of herbal cannabis on July 16 this year.

For the offence he was fined £400 last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard he was stopped at a vehicle checkpoint on Lake Street in Lurgan and he removed a small bag of cannabis from his trouser pocket, handing it to police.

A solicitor representing McVeigh said he had a limited record but a relevant one with a caution and a previous conviction for a similar offence.

He added that his client would say that he was a casual user and actually produced the packet which he presented to a police officer.

The solicitor said that McVeigh accepted that his causal using of drugs would have to end.

District Judge, Mr Peter King, said that McVeigh had been fined £200 and he would face an increasing amount of money.

But he warned the defendant that if he appeared before him again for a similar offence he would be looking at some form of imprisonment.