A full-time carer has submitted to a pre-sentence report after being advised that the only other alternative is immediate custody.
The 30-year-old’s barrister told the court that the defendant could not engage in community service as he was a full-time carer.
Paddy Ward, of Churchview, Dungannon pleaded guilty to possession of Class A and possession of Class B drugs at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
After seeing the defendant’s record, District Judge Alan White commented: “This is clearly a case for a report as he is in breach of a suspended sentence.”
Defence barrister Paddy Taggart stated: “I would like to ask that a suspended sentence is put in place in this occasion. Mr Ward is a full-time carer and would not be able to do community service.”
Judge White said: “I cannot do that without a report, there is clearly a risk here.
“Make sure you co-operate fully with probation. You are in severe risk of immediate custody.”
Ward was released to appear before Armagh Magistrates’ on March 5 for sentencing.
