A Portadown man – who “dabbled with cannabis” after giving up alcohol – has been fined after being caught in possession.
Lee Parr, of Jervis Street, gave up alcohol after he was banned for a drink driving offence.
But the defendant appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday and admitted being in possession of a Class B drug.
Court heard on April 4 police on patrol spotted the defendant driving a Ford Fiesta on the Garvaghy Road which pulled into a side street for a few minutes before reentering the main road.
Police stopped Parr and began to search him under the misuse of drugs act.
The defendant indicated to officers that he had in his possession cannabis resin for which he had paid £25.
Parr was cautioned by police and in a notebook interview made a full admission to the possession charge.
The court heard the defendant worked part-time at a call centre and lived with his father.
Defence counsel told the court Parr had given up alcohol after being disqualified for drink driving but had since “dabbled in cannabis”.
He added that the defendant knew what he was doing was against the law and accepted that.
District Judge Bernie Kelly ordered Parr to pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within eight weeks.
