A Lurgan man who was caught with cannabis and mephedrone after a police search has been fined £400.
The 27-year-old’s solicitor told court he had informed his client he was in for a “lean Christmas”.
Kurtis Loughran, 27, of Albert Street, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a Class B drug at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Court heard that on November 3, at around 6.20pm, police followed the defendant riding a motorcycle on Albert Street, Lurgan, as they wanted to question him about the vehicle.
They observed as he entered an address on that street.
Officers knocked on the door and when Loughran answered they noted a strong smell of cannabis.
The defendant said he had been smoking the drug but did not have any now.
During a search of both Loughran and the property police found herbal cannabis, cannabis resin and mephedrone.
Defence solicitor Conor Downey stated: “Mr Loughran told officers he did not have any drugs as he did not wish to burden the other residents of the address.”
He asked that the defendant was given credit for his early plea.
Mr Downey said he had told Loughran that District Judge Bernie Kelly took a “certain view” of these types of offences and had warned him he was in for a “lean Christmas”.
The defendant was ordered to pay a fine of £400, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
