A man who was caught with cannabis in Lurgan the day after receiving a caution has been fined £450.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated she was “not interested” in the 21-year-old’s mental health difficulties if the drug was the way he was dealing with it.
Conor Francis Dougan, from Maghera, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Court heard police had occasion to stop a car on High Street, Lurgan, and detected a strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle.
A search was conducted during which cannabis was found in the front passenger side pocket.
The defendant made full admissions in a roadside interview.
Court heard Dougan was a broadcast journalism student and had suffered from mental health difficulties.
District Judge Kelly stated she was not interested in this as “he deals with these problems with cannabis”.
Court also heard the defendant received a caution the day before this offence for another possession of cannabis.
Dougan was ordered to pay a fine of £450, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
