A man was caught in possession of Class A, B and C drugs after a road traffic collision in Portadown.
Court heard the 32-year-old told police he had taken the drugs as he did not want his friend to get into trouble.
Sean O’Neill, of Crumlin, Co Antrim pleaded guilty to the drugs charges along with driving without due care or attention and using a vehicle without insurance at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The defendant appeared via videolink from Maghaberry as the details of the case were heard.
Police were called to a two-vehicle collision on the Upper Church Lane, Portadown, near the Seagoe Hotel on March 23, at around 5.30pm.
Officers were told that one of the cars involved had driven off and they were given a description.
On Bridge Street police found the vehicle and a male who matched the description given by witnesses.
They noted that another male, identified as O’Neill, was sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
Police observed that the defendant’s eyes were glazed and he was arrested and taken to Lurgan Police Station.
During a search of O’Neill bags of Ecstasy, cannabis and diazepam were found.
When interviewed, the defendant stated he had been collected by a friend from Crumlin; he denied driving and said he had taken the drugs to prevent his friend getting in trouble.
Defence solicitor Suin Downey told court O’Neill now accepted all the offences commenting she did not have many instructions as the defendant did not have much memory of that day.
Court heard that O’Neill had been in custody for two-and-a-half months on other offences.
Ms Downey stated the defendant wished to apologise to the police and public for his actions.
O’Neill was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for three years and was disqualified from driving for six months.
In addition, he was ordered to pay a fine of £275, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
