A Lurgan man caught with cannabis estimated to be worth in the region of £1,700 has been sentenced to 150 hours of community service.
A district judge told the 21-year-old: “When you are an addict you can’t just take a wee bit.”
Ryan Taylor, 21, of Logan Drive, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Court heard that on May 5, police spotted a vehicle which was flagged as being uninsured.
Officers approached the car to speak to the occupants and noted a strong smell of cannabis.
Details were taken from the front passenger, who was the defendant, and a search was conducted.
Police found a large quantity of suspected cannabis and a set of scales.
A further search was conducted of Taylor’s home, where officers found two more packages of suspected herbal cannabis.
The court was informed the combined amount of the drug found was around 202 grams.
When interviewed, the defendant claimed the cannabis was for personal use.
Taylor claimed he used the scales so that he knew that he was getting what he paid for.
Prosecution stated that police estimated that the value of the drugs found was around £1,700.
Defence solicitor Siun Downey stated: “Mr Taylor works full time and lives with his mother and stepfather. To his credit he has since attended with his doctor.
“He knows he has an issue, he has taken the steps to address it on his own and does not want to be before the court again.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly commented: “From the report, given his background, he knows that you cannot be an addict and keep taking the substance.”
She told the defendant: “This was a very substantial quantity of drugs, that is why I ordered a pre-sentence report despite your plea and lack of record.
“I don’t need to talk to you about addiction, but you must know that when you are an addict you can’t just take a wee bit.”
Taylor was sentenced to complete 150 hours of community service.
The judge also ordered for the destruction of all drugs and all allied paraphernalia.
