A Tandragee man who claimed drugs found in his car had been handed to him by a friend has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Andrew Agustin McParland, of Mourneview Park, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on December 10 of last year at around 4.45pm, when policed stopped the defendant driving on the Mullahead Road in Tandragee.
During a search of the 47-year-old’s vehicle, officers found a small amount of cannabis.
When interviewed the defendant told police the drug had been given to him by someone he was not prepared to name.
Defence solicitor Siun Downey informed the court McParland was not currently working and suffered from “mental health difficulties”.
Court heard that the defendant did have a relevant record but had not offended since 2014.
Ms Downey explained that the cannabis had been given to McParland over the Christmas period by a friend and he had “put it in the glove compartment of his car and left it there”.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “Due to your repeat offending I have no option but to warrant this so serious there is only one penalty I can impose.”
McParland was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for three years.
