A man who has “turned his life around” after the passing of his mother has been given a conditional discharge for a drugs charge.
The 24-year-old’s solicitor told court: “He was left the sole carer for his brother, who has special needs. I ask that he is given credit for his guilty plea. This is a young man who has been left with responsibility beyond his years.”
Jamie Lee Singleton, of Carnbrae Park in Belfast, pleaded guilty to possession of Class B at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on August 20, 2018, police conducted a search of a property in the Lurgan area under a warrant.
During this, officers uncovered 31.81g of cannabis resin, with a street value of around £160.
Singleton, an occupant of the property, was arrested and made full admission to possession of the drugs.
District Judge Steven Keown commented that the defendant had been subject to a probation order for the same offence previously.
Defence solicitor Pat Vernon stated: “He has one previous from five years ago. This search was in relation to another family member.
“His mother died of an overdose last year. He had been smoking this for personal use but he has since turned his life around.”
He continued: “He was left the sole carer for his brother, who has special needs. I ask that he is given credit for his guilty plea. This is a young man who has been left with responsibility beyond his years.
“All of this experience has shown him that he had been going down the wrong path.”
District Judge Keown commented that the case was a year and half old as he handed Singleton a conditional discharge for 12 months.
