An Armagh man convicted of possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply has been spared prison.
John Patrick Grimley, of Drumbreda Avenue, was one of two men in a black Audi A4 with a child when it was pulled over by police on Sunday, December 17, last year.
The 47-year-old was sitting the front passenger seat when he was asked by police to exit the vehicle in order for them to conduct a search.
However, Grimley made off on foot in the direction of Moy Road, Armagh.
Police apprehended him along that stretch but whilst making off, Grimley was observed putting a blue plastic bag into the grounds of St Patrick’s Grammar School.
The defendant was stopped, handcuffed and searched, at which point he admitted to throwing the blue plastic bag away. A substance was also located on his person, Armagh Magistrates’ Court was told on Tuesday.
Grimley admitted to possession of a Class B drug – cannabis – during police interview.
His defence solicitor told District Judge Laura Ievers that it was his client’s first time in court in 17 years.
He stated that it was accepted by the prosecution that the drugs “were a contribution from a number of different friends and were for them as well as himself, so it was social more than anything else”.
Judge Ievers said: “Obviously there are aggravating aspects to the case and I note within the report that, whilst there are some points to be made in mitigation, there is the issue of a child being present. It’s a serious enough incident and that caused the court additional concerns.”
Addressing Grimley directly, Judge Ievers continued: “You’ve accepted responsibility in a case which is serious in nature and could well have found you in the Crown Court where the sentencing powers would have been significantly higher.
“That said, whilst you have previous convictions, I note that none of those are for drugs offences and I note there has been a gap in offending.
“In all of the circumstances, and although this offending does cross the custodial threshold, I am going to deal by way of suspended sentence.”
Grimley was handed four months in prison for possession with intent to supply and four months for obstructing police, each to run concurrently. The custodial sentence was suspended for two years.
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