An Armagh man who was caught by police with cannabis and Ecstasy has been ordered to complete 80 hours of community service.
The 23-year-old’s solicitor told court his client was “turning away from the path he was going down at that particular juncture” and had since “disassociated with his former colleagues”.
Callum McKee, of Upper Irish Street, appeared for sentencing on possession of Class A and possession of Class B at the city’s Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday via videolink from his solicitor’s office.
Prosecution outlined that on November 18, at 11.50pm, police had reason to stop a red BMW on Irish Street in Armagh.
Upon speaking to the occupants, officers detected a smell of cannabis and they informed those present that a search would be conducted.
Police observed this defendant, a passenger, attempting to conceal an item in his trousers.
During a search, officers located two bags of herbal cannabis along with a yellow pill in his wallet.
When interviewed, McKee made full admissions and identified the pill as Ecstasy.
Defence solicitor Oisin Toner commended the recommendations of the presentence report for the defendant, who had “no previous court convictions”.
He stated: “He made full admissions at the earliest opportunity. Thankfully there has been no reoffending since and he has since disassociated with his former colleagues.
“He is turning his life around and is turning away from the path he was going down at that particular juncture.”
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer commented: “Not very much time has passed for him to get into trouble, nevertheless I take into account all the points which have been made.”
McKee was sentenced to a combination order consisting of 12 months probation and 80 hours of community service.
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