In court over £5 of cannabis

David Woods, Drumgor Heights, Craigavon, admitted possession of a class C drug, cannabis, on November 11 last year.

He was sentenced to two months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

The court heard that at 3.30pm police stopped a car at Drumgor Heights. Woods was a passenger in the vehicle and both he and the driver were known to the police.

A search was carried out and cannabis valued at £5 was found in the centre console. Woods admitted it belonged to him.

A barrister representing the defendant said he had an extensive record but only two disposals, outside the court system, for drugs offences.

She added that at the time of the offences Woods was not being allowed access to his daughter. He was at a very low ebb in his life and turned to cannabis.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said Woods had a record for all kinds of offences but only two for drugs.

However, he added, he knows now that if he re-offends in this way he was facing custody.