A man who is accused of cultivating 31 cannabis plants will face Crown Court proceedings in the New Year.
The 33-year-old appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
Juris Babahins, of Belmount in Dungannon, is charged with cultivating cannabis, possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply, dishonestly causing electricity to be diverted and criminal damage.
As the charges were read, court heard between April 6 and July 7, the defendant is alleged to have cultivated 31 cannabis plants.
During this same period, Babahins is also accused of dishonestly using , or causing to be diverted, a quantity of electricity, whilst the criminal damage is alleged to have been caused to a dwelling between February 9 and July 7.
Appearing via videolink from his solicitor’s office, Babahins made no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
Prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
Defence barrister Tom McCreanor made no contrary submissions.
Deputy District Judge Des Perry, satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer, released the defendant on continuing bail to appear before Newry Crown Court on January 20 for arraignment.
