A Craigavon man who admitted having a Class C drug at the first opportunity has been jailed for two months.
Defence barrister Aaron Thompson said the 32-year-old knew he would be “spending Christmas in Maghaberry” and wanted to have the matter dealt with.
Patrick Joseph Ward, 32, of Enniskeen, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class C drug at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from Maghaberry.
Court heard that on June 16, at around 2.20pm, police performed a search on the defendant and another male after reports of suspicious behaviour.
During this Ward was found to have 53 blue tablets later discovered to be diazepam.
When interviewed, the defendant made no comment to the charges.
Defence Barrister Aaron Thompson stated: “Mr Ward was sentenced to seven months in prison earlier this month and believes his best option is to have this matter dealt with promptly.
“He only found out about this charge last week but has entered a guilty plea and knows he will be spending Christmas in Maghaberry.”
It was pointed out by Mr Thompson that the defendant did have a lengthy record, however, this would be his first conviction for drugs.
He explained: “Mr Ward does have an alcohol problem. At the time of this offence he had been prescribed diazepam, but he went on to buy more illegally.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly sentenced the defendant to two months in prison but ordered that this was to run concurrently to his current sentence.
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