Co Armagh man (37) with 39 convictions for drug offences, is jailed for two months for cocaine possession
A Co Armagh man, with 39 convictions for drug offences, has been given a two months jail term.
Caolan Padraig Shields, aged 37, from Garvaghy Close, Portadown, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison.
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He pleaded guilty to possessing the Class A drug cocaine on March 12 last year.
Shields’s solicitor Mr John Murphy, of Elliot Trainor Partnership, said his client was in custody on other matters and asked if the court would deal with the case on Friday.
On March 12 last year police were called to an address in relation to a separate matter and during their investigation they uncovered a small packet of white powder suspected to be the Class A drug cocaine in the pocket of Shields’s tracksuit bottoms.
During interview he admitted it was cocaine and said it was “just a bit for personal use”.
Mr Murphy said his client does have a significant record but asked the court to be lenient given the small amount of drugs.
"He is presently in custody on other matters which are up for a Preliminary Enquiry in March,” said the solicitor, asking the court not to impose a sentence which would interfere with his “normal release date”.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “The issue for Mr Shields is this is now his 39th conviction for drugs. He is simply not learning the lesson but we are looking at a small amount.”
He sentenced Shields to a period of two months in jail. “That should not interfere overly with any release date,” said the District Judge. Shields was also fined £25.