A Lurgan man who tried to conceal a cannabis joint in his waistband has been handed a £200 fine.
The 27-year-old’s solicitor said the defendant was “extremely embarrassed” to be before the court and had not smoked the substance since.
Ciaran McCluskey, of Brookvale Walk, pleaded guilty to possession of Class B at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Friday.
It was heard that on June 24, at around 7.10pm, police attention was drawn to a Ford Fiesta in a car park on Bachelors Walk in Portadown.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers noted a strong smell of cannabis.
During a search, police located a joint concealed in the defendant’s waistband, he had been a passenger in the car.
It was heard this weighed approximately two-grams and was worth around £10.
During a notebook interview, McCluskey made full admissions and said the substance had been for personal use.
Defence solicitor Siun Downey stated: “Mr McCluskey works full time, he is extremely embarrassed to be here and instructs he has not smoked cannabis since the incident”.
McCluskey was ordered to pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 10 weeks.
