A Lurgan man with a record for drug offences has been given a chance to “stay clean” by a judge who has deferred sentencing.
Court heard the 31-year-old was caught by police last year with what he described as a puff’s worth of cannabis resin.
Niall Edward McCann, of Woodville Street, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug at Armagh Magistrates’ on Tuesday.
It was revealed police had occasion to speak to the defendant on October 9 of last year and, as they approached, he threw a small white wrap of paper on the floor.
Officers noted a strong smell of cannabis where McCann was sitting and lifted the white paper, discovering inside what they suspected to be cannabis resin.
During a notebook interview, the defendant admitted to being in possession of the substance, saying it was enough for one puff.
Court heard McCann had similar offences dating to 2014, 2015 and 2016.
For the latter of these, he had been subject to a probation order which his defence said he had recently completed.
He added that the defendant had, since the offence of last year, moved to Lurgan away from “negative influences” in Armagh, and had “stayed out of trouble for the last 10 months”.
Court also heard that McCann had ruled himself out of community service work due to an accident several years ago which had left him with pins in his foot.
Defence counsel also said that since this offence the defendant had managed to remain abstinent from both alcohol and cannabis.
Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter decided to defer sentencing for six months in order for McCann to “stay clean”.
The case will return on February 12 of next year.
