A Lurgan man who spent £900, which he won from a football bet, on cannabis has been sentenced to 240 hours of community service.
The defendant’s solicitor told court: “He is a 34-year-old with a severe addiction to cannabis. All the money he won from the bet he spent on cannabis rather than his two children.”
Ryan Colum McCavigan, of Wellington Street, appeared for sentencing on possession of Class B at Craigavon Magistrates’, sitting at Lisburn, on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on January 31, during a search of the defendant’s home, police located 90-grams of cannabis valued at £900.
District Judge Rosie Watters commented: “How did he afford that? Did he win the lottery? It can’t all be for personal use.”
Upon reading the pre-sentence report, she added: “Oh, he won a football bet.”
Defence solicitor Naimh Fox stated: “He is a 34-year-old with a severe addiction to cannabis. All the money he won from the bet he spent on cannabis rather than his two children.
“His addiction issues have brought his family to the attention of social services. He is trying to get his life on track. He is attending with community addictions and had reduced his cannabis use.”
District Judge Rosie Watters said: “He is not going to get a fine this time, he is going to have to do community service.
“He really needs to get a job for his children’s sake, as an example, as most parents go to work in order to provide for their children.”
McCavigan was sentenced to complete 240 hours of community service.
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