A Lurgan man with 10 convictions for drugs has been handed a conditional discharge after serving several sentences.
The 24-year-old’s solicitor told court the defendant had been off drugs for some time and wished to continue.
Jonathon Hall, of Hamilton Street, pleaded guilty to possession of class C at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Friday.
It was heard that at around 3am on October 8, of 2017, police attended an address in Lurgan for an unrelated matter.
Officers arrested the defendant, who they found in a bedroom of the property, he appeared under the influence of drugs and was unresponsive to questions.
A bag of white powder which was found underneath the Hall’s pillow was seized by police.
After analysis the substance was confirmed to be alprazolam a class C drug.
Defence barrister John McAtamney stated: “This is his tenth drugs offence, they have all been class B and C offences, on this occasion it was a drugs which has the generic name Xanax.
“This offence occurred prior to the imposition of a lengthy sentence which he is now subject to licensing for, conditions include a curfew between 10pm and 7am along with a ban on alcohol and drugs”.
He added: “He passed all his drugs tests in Maghaberry, bar his first, and has been off drugs for some time now, which he wishes to continue”.
District Judge Bernie Kelly said: “The problem is unfortunately that this took so long to come to court, he has had numerous sentences since.
“Given that he is currently subject to license I am going to give him a conditional discharge for a period of two years”.
