A Lurgan teenager has been told by his parents that if he is caught once more with drugs ‘he is out of the house’, a court has heard.
The 19-year-old’s legal representative told Craigavon Magistrates’: “They have made it clear to him they do not want drugs around them and have very strong views on drugs.”
Francis McGibbon, of Castor Bay Road, pleaded guilty to possession of Class B on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on August 4, at around 8.50pm, police stopped a vehicle on Annesborough Road in Lurgan with seven people inside.
The occupants appeared startled and officers noted a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle.
Police spoke to the defendant, who had been a front seat passenger, and he denied having any substance on him.
However, during a search, officers located a bag of herbal cannabis, around 1.2-grams, in his underwear.
During interview, McGibbon made admissions to the offence stating he had paid £20 for the drug and it was for his own personal use.
Defence solicitor Peter Murphy said: “His parents are with him in court today, they are ashamed of what he has done, this is a young man who found work through his uncle in the building trade as a labourer when he left school but he is currently without work.
“He received a caution for a previous offence and his parents thought that would be the end of it.
“They have told him to stop associating with these peers and told him that if he is caught again he is out of the house.
“They have made it clear to him they do not want drugs around them and have very strong views on drugs.”
McGibbon was ordered to pay a fine of £500, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
