A Tandragee man who was caught cultivating cannabis plants in his property has been handed a probation order.
The case of Jake Brian Stewart, of Mill Street, was heard before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry Courthouse.
The 25-year-old was charged with possessing a Class B drug and cultivating cannabis.
The court was told that on August 7 last year, police attended an address in Tandragee following reports of an assault at the location.
They gained entry to the property in an attempt to secure it and, whilst inside, they discovered “six cannabis plants and various apparatus pertaining to their growth”.
Stewart was interviewed on a voluntary basis and made full admissions to the offences, stating the plants were for personal use.
Seamus Lannon BL, defending, told the court his client was “beginning to take this issue seriously” and was “beginning to respond to his mother’s urgings” and had obtained a job.
District Judge Watters retorted: “His employer probably wouldn’t be terribly impressed if he thought he was using drugs on a regular basis.”
On imposing a probation order, she commented: “It’s crazy. You put everything in jeopardy for what? Taking drugs is not a good lifestyle choice.
“If you sat here and saw all the people that I see who have ruined their lives with drugs you’d change your mind about them.”
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