A Lurgan man who was found in possession of MDMA after trying to avoid police and raising suspicion has been handed a conditional discharge.
The 21-year-old’s barrister told court: “At the time of this offence, he was unemployed and found himself in a particularly down way, he tried to alleviate that by dabbling in drugs”.
Don Hoey, 21, of Stevenson Terrace, pleaded guilty to possession of class A at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
It was heard that on February 7, at 1.53am, police on mobile patrol spotted a male and female walking on the Brownstown Road, Portadown.
Upon seeing the presence of police the pair changed the direction in which they were walking.
A short time later the defendant – the male in question – was located on Glanroy Avenue.
He was informed by police that he would be searched and on hearing this Hoey stated that he had MDMA in his possession.
Court heard this was around 0.59g of MDMA powder .
An interview was conducted during which Hoey made full admissions to the offence.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny stated: “Mr Hoey is a doorman, this entry on his record is going to endanger his job.
“At the time of this offence, he was unemployed and found himself in a particularly down way, he tried to alleviate that by dabbling in drugs”.
Hoey was handed a conditional discharge and was warned by District Judge Mark McGarrity to “stay out of trouble”.
