A 29-year-old Dungannon man has been given a three month suspended jail sentence for cultivating cannabis.
Dominic Patrick Adam McSorley, of Drumcoo Green, was sentenced at Armagh Magistrates’ Court sitting in Newry last Tuesday.
McSorley came to police attention on May 13, 2020, after officers attended his home having received a call in relation to a separate incident.
While at the property, officers discovered three suspected cannabis plants which were being grown using lights.
McSorley’s defence counsel highlighted the fact the offence had taken place two-and-a-half years ago and the defendant he said has remained offence free in the intervening period.
“It seems over the last two years, he really has settled significantly,” stated his defence, who added this could be attributed to the birth of his child and his steady relationship.
The barrister asked District Judge Anne Marshall to consider when sentencing leaving “something hanging over his head” given that only three plants had been discovered.
Sentencing McSorley, the district judge told the defendant his record “is appalling”, before acknowledging the fact he had “stopped offending over the past couple of years”.
McSorley’s three months jail sentence was suspended for 18 months.
